New Radiocarbon Dates from CA-CCO-138 (Hotchkiss Mound) and CA-CCO-139 (Simone Mound) and Insights into Mounds, Settlement Patterns, and Culture History in the California Delta

Eerkens, Jelmer W.; Bartelink, Eric J.

doi:10.1080/1947461x.2019.1581979

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Strontium isotopes are incorporated into bone and tooth apatite in proportion to their concentration in locally available water. These variations across the landscape are well documented in California where numerous studies have leveraged strontium isotopes to document individuals’ movement throughout their lives and reconstruct associated kinship patterns (Eerkens et al, 2014; Eerkens, Carlson, et al, 2016; Eerkens, Harold, et al, 2016; Ericson, 1985; Harold et al, 2016; Jorgenson, 2012; Jorgenson et al, 2009).…”

Section: Isotopic Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sampling strontium ratios in tooth and bone apatite permits the reconstruction of an individual's movement during the window of formation of the sampled tissue. The most common approach, and the one taken in the current study, is to sample enamel apatite from individuals’ permanent first molars to identify residence in the first several years of life, from third molars to identify residence in early adolescence, and from bone in adults to identify residence in the last 10 years of adulthood (Eerkens et al, 2014; Eerkens, Carlson, et al, 2016; Eerkens, Harold, et al, 2016; Harold et al 2016; Jorgenson, 2012; Jorgenson et al, 2009). Individuals’ movement across the landscape, especially in a relatively sedentary population, reflects residence patterns indicative of kinship‐related practices.…”

Section: Isotopic Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sex‐biased parental investment and female wealth accumulation in ancientCalifornia

Greenwald

Burns

Eerkens

et al. 2023

American Journal of Biological Anthropology

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ObjectivesThe mortuary record at Middle Period site Kalawwasa Rummeytak (CA‐SCL‐134) (2600‐1225 cal BP) in California's southern Santa Clara Valley shows pronounced wealth inequality; Olivella shell bead wealth, as well as other grave goods, are concentrated in the burials of several older adult females. The concentration of wealth among women, along with regional strontium isotopic evidence of male‐biased residential shifts in early adulthood, suggests a matrilineal kinship system that practiced matrilocal post‐marital residence patterns. We suggest local resource enhancement effects incentivized keeping women in their natal communities and investing more in female offspring.Materials and MethodsWith the consent of, and in collaboration with, the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area, this paper employs isotopic analysis (δ15N and δ13C, 86Sr/87Sr) to examine duration of exclusive breastfeeding, weaning age (complete cessation of breastmilk consumption), early childhood diet, and lifetime residential mobility of individuals interred at Kalawwasa Rummeytak to test the assumption that the site inhabitants favored matrilocality and that female offspring received greater levels of investment in groups with female wealth/status attainment. First molars, third molars, and bone was sampled from 22 individuals.ResultsThe average weaning age for females at Kalawwasa Rummeytak is 36.3 months ± 9.7 (1 SD), or just over 3 years. The average weaning age for males is 31.2 ± 7.9 months (1 SD), or about 2.6 years. Infants at the site were provisioned with supplemental foods dominated by C3 plants and terrestrial herbivores, as well as anadromous fish. After weaning, individuals consumed a diet dominated by acorns, C3 plants, and terrestrial herbivores, with periodic inclusion of anadromous fish. 30% of the sampled population of females exhibit local first molar 87Sr/86Sr values, suggesting that Kalawwasa Rummeytak is their natal community. None of the males interred at the site are locals.DiscussionDespite the small sample size often unavoidable in archaeological contexts, we find possible female‐biased parental investment strategies. Cessation of breastfeeding (weaning) was, on average, 5 months earlier for males compared to females. There are no differences between females and males in the consumption of supplemental or post‐weaning foods. Strontium data suggest a flexible postmarital residence system that favored matrilocality. This may have incentivized greater investment in female offspring.

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Section: Isotopic Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Isotopic Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%