Isotopic evidence for Middle Horizon to 16th century camelid herding in the Osmore Valley, Peru

Abstract

Sr) were also assessed to infer pasture elevation using the camelid remains from Cerro Baú l (n ¼ 11). One individual in this sub-sample exhibits a non-local 87 Sr/ 86 Sr value indicative of an origin in the highland puna region east or south of Lake Titicaca. It was not possible to further distinguish between camelids herded in lower to middle elevation habitats outside the Lake Titicaca basin using 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values. This study suggests that multiple isotope proxies may be used to identify animals primarily pastured in lowland coastal versus highland puna (> 4000 masl (meters above sea level)) habitats, but are less useful at distinguishing between animals pastured in lower to middle elevation settings.

Patterns of camelid management in Wari Empire reconstructed using multiple stable isotope analysis: evidence from Castillo de Huarmey, northern coast of Peru

“…One group had lower δ 13 C values (− 19.5 to − 16.8 ‰) and likely consumed almost exclusively C 3 plants, while the other group was more 13 C-enriched, with higher δ 13 C values (− 12.1 to − 8.2‰). The authors interpreted the lower δ 13 C values as evidence for alpaca grazing on puna grasslands; however, others (e.g., Thornton et al 2011;Szpak 2013) (Hatch-Slack Pathway), and CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) (Calvin and Benson 1948;Hatch and Slack 1966;Smith and Epstein 1971). Carbon stable isotope ratios for modern Peruvian plants demonstrate a mean δ 13 C value of − 13.5 ± 1.0‰ for modern wild C 4 plants and − 27.6 ± 1.9‰ for modern wild C 3 plants (Szpak et al 2013).…”

“…To date, stable isotope analyses of archeological camelid remains have been conducted at two Wari ceremonial centers situated some distance from Castillo de Huarmey: Conchopata (2700 masl) in the Wari heartlands, located near Huari (Finucane et al 2006) and Cerro Baul with adjacent Cerro Mejía (both 2500 masl) at the southern frontiers of the empire in the Moquegua Valley (Thornton et al 2011;McEwan and Williams 2012) (Fig. 1).…”

“…Zooarchaeology has an interest in reconstructing husbandry systems and especially animal diet and mobility, and recently has adapted stable isotope analysis of bone and dental tissues to address important questions with respect to camelid ecology and husbandry (Shimada and Shimada 1985;Miller and Burger 1995;Yacobaccio 2007;Szpak 2013). In this study, we explore camelid management at the archeological site of Castillo de Huarmey, located along the northern coast of Peru, by using multiple isotopic analyses (δ 13 C, δ 15 N, δ Pb) and comparing these data regionally against published data from other Wari sites of Cerro Baul (Thornton et al 2011) and Conchopata (Finucane et al 2006). …”

“…In the Pre-Columbian Andes, the two New World domesticated camelids, llama (Lama glama) and alpaca (Vicugna pacos), served as the primary source for meat, pelts, bone tools, and secondary source with wool for textiles, dung for fuel, and as pack animals (Moore 1989;Bonavia 2008;Thornton et al 2011). Zooarchaeology has an interest in reconstructing husbandry systems and especially animal diet and mobility, and recently has adapted stable isotope analysis of bone and dental tissues to address important questions with respect to camelid ecology and husbandry (Shimada and Shimada 1985;Miller and Burger 1995;Yacobaccio 2007;Szpak 2013).…”

“…It has been assumed that significant δ 13 C deviation toward C 4 plant range is a sign of intentional maize feeding of camelids, as a part of organized herding (Finucane et al 2006;Thornton et al 2011;Dufour et al 2014). Although wild highland C 4 grasses (e.g., Muhlenbergia sp.)…”