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Social Complexity and Food Systems at Altun Ha, Belize: The Isotopic Evidence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Christine D. White ,
David M. Pendergast ,
Fred J. Longstaffe  and
Kimberley R. Law
Christine D. White
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C2
David M. Pendergast
Affiliation:
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Fred J. Longstaffe
Affiliation:
Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C2
Kimberley R. Law
Affiliation:
Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C2
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Abstract

This study reports stable carbon-isotope ratios for both bone collagen and apatite, and nitrogen-isotope ratios for bone collagen for 72 Maya skeletons from 9 zones representing contrasting status groups at Altun Ha, Belize. The sample spans the Preclassic to Postclassic periods, approximately 800 B. C. to after A. D. 950. Although Altun Ha has a maize-based (C-4) diet, it has a much stronger marine/reef component than any other Maya site studied so far. Two possible dedicatory burial groups are dietarily distinct. The source of protein appears to have been fairly stable throughout the site sequence, but a marked shift to reduced consumption of C4 foods seems to have occurred after the Early Classic period. A second similar decline probably occurred between the Late/Terminal Classic and the Postclassic periods. These apparent temporal trends may, however, be confounded by differences between zones. High status is marked by consumption of large quantities of C4 foods, possibly including C4-fed terrestrial animals. Males consumed more meat and C4 foods than did females. All δ-values and collagen-apatite spacings indicate that children were breastfed until at least the age of three or four.

Resumen

Resumen

En este estudio se presentan los resultados del análisis de la proporción entre isótopos de carbón estable tanto para colágeno de hueso como para apatita, además de isótopos de nitrógeno para colágeno de hueso, con base en el análisis de muestras correspondientes a 72 esqueletos humanos del sitio maya de Altun Ha, Belice, próximo a la costa. Las muestras datan del periodo Preclásico al Posclásico, aproximadamente desde 800 A. C. hasta tiempos posteriores a 950 D. C., además de que comparan individuos de nueve áreas excavadas que representan distintos grupos de diferentes niveles sociales. Al cotejar los datos de ambas fases del material óseo, orgánicas e inorgánicas, es posible determinar de manera general el consumo de alimentos contrastando el C-3 con el C-4, proporciones generales de macronutrientes, la fuente de proteína, y el grado de consumo de carnes en contraposición al consumo de vegetales. La dieta en Altun Ha demuestra distintos niveles de complejidad que a su vez reflejan la complejidad social de la sociedad maya. Mientras en Altun Ha se detecta una dieta basada en el maíz (C-4), común con sitios mayas de otras regiones, se identifica un componente marino y de arrecifes mucho más representado que en cualquier otro sitio maya hasta ahora estudiado. El consumo significativo de recursos marinos y de arrecife causa una apariencia artificial del énfasis en proteínas de esa procedencia, que caracteriza a poblaciones costeras en otros lugares del mundo. En el caso de dos muestras que se interpreta corresponden a sacrificios dedicatorios (Estructura C-13 y periodo Clásico Terminal en la Zona E), se observa una dieta distinta, pero para la Estructura C-13, esta distinción se puede confundir con diferencias temporales. Mientras el consumo de proteínas que se evidencia en los valores 15Ncol parece haber sido relativamente estable a lo largo de la secuencia del sitio (con la excepción de diferencias asociadas con la edad y el sexo de los individuos), al parecer hay cambio marcado hacia una reducción en el consumo de alimentos que contienen el C-14 parece que ocurre después del Clásico Temprano. Otra segunda disminución probablemente ocurrió entre el Clásico Tardío/Terminal y en el periodo Posclásico. Sin embargo, estas aparentes tendencias temporales pueden ser confundidas como diferencias entre las zonas en distintos periodos. Para las muestras de los individuos de estatus alto al parecer hay un alto grado de consumo de alimentos con C4, que también pueden haber incluido animales terrestres consumidores de C4. Hay una variabilidad dietética entre las elites de niveles inferiores, que además está por lo general basada en una jerarquía local. Los hombres consumían más comidas enriquecidas en 13C que las mujeres. Todos los valores de δ y espacios de colágena-apatita indican que los hijos eran amamantados por la madre hasta por lo menos la edad de tres o cuatro años.

Type
Articles
Information
Latin American Antiquity , Volume 12 , Issue 4 , December 2001 , pp. 371 - 393
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 2001

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