Origins of Prehispanic Camelid Wool Textiles from the North and Central Coasts of Peru Traced by Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopic Analyses

Abstract

Carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions of wool textiles from the north (Virú, Early Intermediate Period) and central (Chancay, Late Intermediate Period) coasts of Peru were used to reconstruct the diet and habitat of the camelids (llamas and alpacas) from which they were produced in order to better understand the regional political economies. The Chancay textiles were derived from camelids primarily raised on highaltitude C3 grasslands. Similarly, isotopic data from Virú textiles assembled in north-coast styles are consistent with the importation of highland camelid wool. For both Virú and Chancay, imported raw materials were crafted in local styles, serving as an effective means of materializing corporate power. Stylistically foreign (noncoastal) Virú textiles were characterized by carbon isotopic compositions similar to those for camelids recovered from Early Intermediate Period sites in the Virú Valley and suggest that these textiles originated in the yungas (1,000–2,300 m asl) or the low sierra (2,300–3,500 m asl). Accordingly, although highland camelid wool was imported to the coast, a simple model of exchange involving the movement of wool textiles exclusively from the puna or the altiplano to the coast is untenable

Early Horizon camelid management practices in the Nepeña Valley, north-central coast of Peru

“…Two comparative camelid datasets are also presented in: a group of Middle Horizon camelids from a highaltitude herding site (Chinchawas in the Callejón de Huaylas) and a group of EIP camelids from a coastal site (Huaca Gallinazo in the Virú Valley) Szpak et al 2015). On the basis of a growing body of isotopic measurements of camelids from coastal, highland and intermediate altitudes in Peru (DeNiro 1988;Verano and DeNiro 1993;Finucane et al 2006;Thornton et al 2011;Szpak 2013;Dufour et al 2014;Szpak et al 2014;Szpak et al 2015;Szpak et al in press), the two comparative datasets presented in Fig. 6 are the largest and are representative of typical coastal and highland patterns.…”

“…While comparatively few modern camelids from high-altitude contexts (both modern and archaeological) have been subjected to isotopic analysis, none have been characterised by the high ( > 8‰) nitrogen isotopic compositions that have been recorded for some camelids from coastal and low altitude sites (DeNiro 1988;Verano and DeNiro 1993;Thornton et al 2011;Dufour et al 2014;Szpak et al 2014;Szpak et al 2015). A pattern of camelid diets dominated by C 3 plants has been recorded for modern camelids from high-altitude contexts throughout much of Peru (Schoeninger and DeNiro 1984;Thornton et al 2011;Dufour et al 2014;Szpak et al 2014), as well as archaeological camelids from Chinchawas (3850 masl) and Tiwanaku (3800 masl) (Szpak 2013).…”

“…Because of the large environmental and phytogeographic differences between the coastal and highaltitude regions of Peru and associated differences in plant isotopic compositions , stable isotope analyses have been employed to assess the question of camelid husbandry outside the highlands (DeNiro 1988;Verano and DeNiro 1993;Thornton et al 2011;Dufour et al 2014;Szpak et al 2014;Szpak et al 2015;Szpak et al in press). Generally, a pattern emerges in which animals recovered from coastal contexts are characterised by significantly higher dietary contributions of C 4 plants (likely maize) relative to camelids from the highlands, as well as greater inter-individual isotopic variability.…”

Stable Isotope Sourcing of Wool from Textiles at Pacatnamú

“…; Szpak et al . ). The term ‘local’ is environmental in this context rather than cultural and refers to the coastal river valleys up to approximately 1000 m a.s.l., where the oceanic influence on the environment is significantly reduced (Koepcke ).…”

Statecraft and expansionary dynamics: A Virú outpost at Huaca Prieta, Chicama Valley, Peru

“…In a recent study (67), carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions of woolen fabrics from the Virú Valley were used to reconstruct the diet and habitat of the camelids (llamas and alpacas) from which they were produced. Results revealed that the finest garments worn by members of the Virú elite were crafted in local styles with yarns imported from high-altitude grasslands.…”