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

Clarissa Cagnato,John Verano,Elise Dufour,Gabriel Prieto,Michelle Elliott,Nicolas Goepfert

doi:10.1017/laq.2021.19

Abstract

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.

Highlights

This article reconstructs the final diet of sacrificed domestic camelids from Huanchaquito-Las Llamas to understand whether feeding was part of the ritual practice
We included in the final count starch grains (n = 14, plus a large cluster) that we found in 10 of the 33 gut samples tested for phytoliths
It could contribute much to the knowledge of the ritual sequence accompanying human sacrifices and to that of more common dietary practices. Because this is the first and, an exploratory study carried out on starch grains from desiccated camelid gut contents, it was initially unclear whether these microbotanical remains would be preserved and in what condition

Summary

Introduction

This article reconstructs the final diet of sacrificed domestic camelids from Huanchaquito-Las Llamas to understand whether feeding was part of the ritual practice. La identificación de la dieta ingerida por 11 de los camélidos antes de ser sacrificados, se realizó a través del estudio de los granos de almidón obtenidos del contenido intestinal y heces asociadas. Ritual killings or sacrifices were an important component of the cultural life of various prehispanic populations in the Andean region, with both human and domestic animal sacrifices being practiced (Goepfert 2012; Klaus and Toyne 2016; Verano 1995, Amériques (CNRS-Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne), 9 rue Mahler, 75004 Paris, France. Charles Ave., New Orleans, Elise Dufour ▪ UMR 7209, Archéozoologie, Archéobotanique, Sociétés, Pratiques, Environnements, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, CNRS, CP 55 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France

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