An Isotopic Evaluation of the Classic Andean Mobility Models in Northern Chile during the Late Intermediate Period (AD 900-1450)

Summary

Research on the Late Intermediate Period (AD 900-1450) in northern Chile has been strongly influenced by two mobility models: John Murra’s classic vertical archipelago model and the more recent gyratory mobility model. The use and application of these two models, however, is problematic since there is insufficient supporting archaeological evidence. The use of stable isotope analysis allows a direct approach for studying diet and mobility patterns, in contrast to material culture. The aim of this work is to evaluate the presence of colonies and specialized highland pastoralist groups in the lowlands of northern Chile through the application of δ13C, δ15N, δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr to various human tissues, including tooth enamel, bone collagen, bone apatite, and hair-keratin. The results show strong local traditions in terms of diet and mobility associated with the Pica Tarapacá and Atacama cultures. However, a small number of isotopic outliers suggest a non-local origin for some individuals in both groups. Based on the isotopic evidence, it is suggested that there is no evidence to support either the ‘colony’ or the gyratory mobility model. Mobility patterns were, instead, diverse and flexible including female and male individuals that moved at different moments during their lives (infancy and adulthood).

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Re-pensando la/s Movilidad/es Andina/s: Nuevas Perspectivas en Torno al Viaje, Contacto, Interacción, Intercambio y Obtención de Recursos en los Andes Centro-Sur   •
• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 17009