Examining pre-Hispanic human and animal isotopic variation at Kuelap in the eastern montane of Peru

Abstract

Chachapoya bioarchaeological investigations on the eastern slopes of highland Peru are beginning to elucidate patterns in diet and social interactions in this distinctive region. We examine the importance of local ecology and subsistence strategies in this environment by analyzing stable isotope data from the monumental archaeological center of Kuelap. Samples from the Late Intermediate Period (AD 800 – 1470) and Late Horizon (AD 1470 – 1535) allow us to consider change over time. Using a sample of 75 individuals, we explore dietary patterns using stable isotopic analysis of carbon and nitrogen in tooth dentine and bone collagen and carbon from enamel and bone apatite. Carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions of bone collagen from faunal remains of domestic and wild animals provide important ecological and dietary baselines.Tooth samples average –13.4‰ (δ13Ccol) and +8.5‰ (δ15N) and bone samples average –12.9‰ (δ13Ccol) and +7.9‰ (δ15N). Carbon isotope compositions from carbonate average –7.08‰ for teeth and –7.32‰ for bone. Data suggest a mixed diet of both C3 and C4 resources and some regular inclusion of domesticated animals. There appears to be a significant shift towards more C3 plant resources, which may reflect a shift in subsistence strategies or the socio-political impact of Inca occupation. Animal baseline data indicate that camelids likely also exploited variable resources across altitudinal ecozones, perhaps moving in caravans or being foddered with specific C4 plants. We propose that most individuals at Kuelap were locally derived and exploited a broad range of ecozones across the distinctive elevations in the region.