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An approach to pre‐Hispanic diets in the Pampas during the Early/Middle Holocene
Author(s) -
Politis Gustavo G.,
Scabuzzo Clara,
Tykot Robert H.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
international journal of osteoarchaeology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1099-1212
pISSN - 1047-482X
DOI - 10.1002/oa.1053
Subject(s) - holocene , herbivore , fauna , megafauna , isotope analysis , radiocarbon dating , δ13c , ecology , stable isotope ratio , archaeology , geology , geography , biology , pleistocene , physics , quantum mechanics
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to dietary studies of Early‐Middle Holocene Pampean hunter‐gatherers, and to evaluate the intra‐group dietary differences. Results from stable carbon isotope analysis of the organic and inorganic fractions of bone from 26 human remains from the sites Arroyo Seco 2 (Interserrana area) and Monte Hermoso 1 (Atlantic coast) are presented and discussed. Isotopic values from archaeofauna – including megafauna and current fauna – are also reported. δ 13 C COL isotopic values on human remains from these sites suggest the existence of different diets in Early‐Middle Holocene groups, including individuals consuming mainly marine resources, individuals with a terrestrial diet based on C 3 plants and/or the intake of C 3 ‐consuming herbivores, and finally, individuals with a mixed diet. δ 13 C COL data from human remains are consistent with the isotopic results obtained for the most abundant faunal remains at the sites (guanaco, Pampean deer, and seal). Apatite analysis was carried out on 22 individuals from AS2. The apatite results suggest C 4 plants or marine food consumption or a combination of both. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.