Stable oxygen and radiogenic strontium variability in the Osmore Drainage, Peru: Implications for intra-regional Andean paleomobility studies

Abstract

The Osmore Drainage of southern Peru has a long and rich history of human occupation. While the utility of stable oxygen and radiogenic strontium isotope values in identifying paleomobility between this region and population centers in the Bolivian altiplano has been well established, many questions about intra-regional mobility remain. To better understand how these methods can be used to detect localized residential mobility, we present new δ18Omw(VSMOW) and 87Sr/86Sr values from water, soil, plant, and faunal samples. Samples were collected primarily from traditionally farmed agricultural fields in the upper, middle, and lower Osmore Drainage. Results are indiscernible between the upper and middle drainage, while marine contribution to the lower drainage produces distinct values. We discuss the methodological limitations and implications of our results for the use of stable oxygen and radiogenic strontium isotope analyses for intra-regional paleomobility studies in the Osmore Drainage.