Microhistological analysis of ancient camelid dung from the southern Argentinean Puna: Past vegetation composition and diet

Torres, Mosca; Urquiza, Silvana Valeria; Aschero, Carlos

doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.05.009

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…In this period, the site was a settlement of camelid herders, and bone remains of domestic (llama) and wild camelids (vicuña) were found. A microhistological study of camelid dung from this period showed that camelid used high Andean wetlands (vegas) and dry areas (tolar and grassland) as foraging areas (Mosca Torres et al, 2018). Despite there were not found differences in the state of preservation of the eggs between covered and uncovered sectors of the site, the number of parasite taxa seems to increase through time until historic times.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paleoparasitological study of Holocene South American camelids (ca. 8970–470 years ¹⁴C BP) from an archaeological site, Southern Puna of Argentina (Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca)

2021

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South American camelids (SAC) have occupied a central role in the development of Andean societies. They are widely distributed in South America and since ancient times are an important factor in Andean economies and social and ritual life. The archaeological site Punta de Peña 4 (PP4) is located in Antofagasta de la Sierra Basin (Southern Puna of Argentina). PP4 is a rock overhang and presents a large occupational sequence (early Holocene until historic times). The aim of this contribution is to study parasite diversity and the relationship among parasites and SAC through holocenic times in the Southern Puna of Argentina. Besides, differences in parasite egg preservation in the site were discussed. A total of 65 coprolites assigned to SAC were rehydratated, homogenized, filtered, allowed to spontaneous sedimentation and examined for parasite remains. Given the morphology of the coprolites, the biogeographic origin and the presence of coccidian oocysts of Eimeria macusaniensis in some of them, a camelid origin of the coprolites is suggested. This is the first paleoparasitological study from PP4, an archaeological site of Antofagasta de la Sierra, a key region in northwestern Argentina and Central Andes. Eleven taxa of parasites were found belonging to Apicomplexa, Platyhelminthes, and Nematoda. Specific parasite species of SAC were found, such as E. macusaniensis and Lamanema chavezi/Nematodirus lamae. A remarkable finding was the presence of Moniezia sp. and Strongyloides sp. in coprolites from different levels of PP4, pointing out the presence of these genera in native artiodactyls of the region previous to the arrival of Hispanic societies. Results displayed a change in the number of parasite taxa present in SAC through time. The parasite-SAC relation through time and differences in parasite egg preservation between levels and sectors (covered and uncovered) of the site are discussed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paleoparasitological study of Holocene South American camelids (ca. 8970–470 years ¹⁴C BP) from an archaeological site, Southern Puna of Argentina (Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca)

2021

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“…The recovery, and identification, of starch grains in different archaeological contexts in South America, and more particularly in the Andean region, is not novel (see Duncan et al 2009; Ikehara et al 2013; Piperno and Dillehay 2008; Vinton et al 2009). Although microbotanical research has been carried out on camelid feces remains from Peru and Argentina (see Bonavia 2008a; Caruso Fermé et al 2018; Jones 1990; Jones and Bonavia 1992; Korstanje 2005; Mosca Torres et al 2018), only one study revealed the presence of starch grains, belonging to Typha sp. (Bonavia 2008a:403).…”

Section: Starch Grain Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Eat and Die: The Last Meal of Sacrificed Chimú Camelids at Huanchaquito-Las Llamas, Peru, as Revealed by Starch Grain Analysis

et al. 2021

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This article reconstructs the final diet of sacrificed domestic camelids from Huanchaquito-Las Llamas to understand whether feeding was part of the ritual practice. The site is situated on the northern coast of Peru and is dated to the fifteenth century AD (Late Intermediate period; LIP). It was used by the Chimús to kill and bury a large number of camelids, mostly juveniles. We reconstructed the final meal of 11 of the sacrificed individuals by analyzing starch grains derived from the associated gut contents and feces. The starch grains were well preserved and allowed for the determination of five plant taxa. The comparison with previously published and new stable isotope analyses, which provide insights into long-term diet, indicates that the Chimús managed their herds by providing maize as fodder and allowing them to graze on natural pasture; yet they reserved special treatment for sacrificial animals, probably bringing them together a few hours or days before the sacrificial act. We show for the first time the consumption of unusual food products, which included manioc, chili peppers, and beans, as well as cooked foods. Our study provides unique information on Chimú camelid ritual and herding practices.

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Herbivore coprolites from the South-Central Andes. A multiproxy study at Los Viscos Archaeological Site, Catamarca, Argentina

Petrigh

Velázquez

Fugassa

et al. 2021

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

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Microhistological analysis of ancient camelid dung from the southern Argentinean Puna: Past vegetation composition and diet

Cited by 3 publications

References 23 publications

Paleoparasitological study of Holocene South American camelids (ca. 8970–470 years ¹⁴C BP) from an archaeological site, Southern Puna of Argentina (Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca)

Paleoparasitological study of Holocene South American camelids (ca. 8970–470 years ¹⁴C BP) from an archaeological site, Southern Puna of Argentina (Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca)

Eat and Die: The Last Meal of Sacrificed Chimú Camelids at Huanchaquito-Las Llamas, Peru, as Revealed by Starch Grain Analysis

Herbivore coprolites from the South-Central Andes. A multiproxy study at Los Viscos Archaeological Site, Catamarca, Argentina

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Microhistological analysis of ancient camelid dung from the southern Argentinean Puna: Past vegetation composition and diet

Cited by 3 publications

References 23 publications

Paleoparasitological study of Holocene South American camelids (ca. 8970–470 years 14C BP) from an archaeological site, Southern Puna of Argentina (Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca)

Paleoparasitological study of Holocene South American camelids (ca. 8970–470 years 14C BP) from an archaeological site, Southern Puna of Argentina (Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca)

Eat and Die: The Last Meal of Sacrificed Chimú Camelids at Huanchaquito-Las Llamas, Peru, as Revealed by Starch Grain Analysis

Herbivore coprolites from the South-Central Andes. A multiproxy study at Los Viscos Archaeological Site, Catamarca, Argentina

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Paleoparasitological study of Holocene South American camelids (ca. 8970–470 years ¹⁴C BP) from an archaeological site, Southern Puna of Argentina (Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca)

Paleoparasitological study of Holocene South American camelids (ca. 8970–470 years ¹⁴C BP) from an archaeological site, Southern Puna of Argentina (Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca)