Zooarchaeological Records and Isotopic Systematics of Bahamian Hutia (Geocapromys ingrahami): are the Bahamas a distinct isotopic province?

Summary

Although the Bahamas are not geologically part of the Caribbean, they are culturally associated with the rest of the Caribbean Islands. Due to their unique geology the Bahamas can potentially be a distinct Pb and Sr isotopic province when compared to the rest of the Caribbean islands. Here we present the results of isotopic analysis of archaeological Bahamian hutia specimens from two pre-Columbian sites on Crooked Island (Crooked Island-8 and Crooked Island 14) located in the Bahamas, and one site on Providenciales (Palmetto Junction), located in the Turks & Caicos. The data confirm the capability of the Sr isotope system to identify local origin. In contrast, preliminary Pb isotope ratios suggest that Pb in the hutia enamel is contaminated by modern anthropogenic Pb. Sr isotopes, in combination with C, N and O light isotope ratios help to clarify the nature of Bahamian hutia exploitation during later pre-Columbian history (post AD 800) and shed light on the role of the animal in human subsistence and economy. Finally, the results are presented within broader biogeochemical context through comparison with geological and late 20th century Bahamian hutia isotopic signatures that help to establish a robust isotopic baseline for the Bahamas.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)   •
• Caribbean Environmental Archaeology: New Perspectives on Human Ecodynamics and Social Relations

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