Diet and Foodways in the Wari Imperial Hinterlands: Stable Isotope Analysis of the La Real Burial Population (600–1000 CE), Arequipa, Peru

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2023: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 88th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis is employed to assess diet in times of Wari influence in the southern hinterlands between the early (600–800 CE) and late (800–1000 CE) Middle Horizon (MH). We analyze bone collagen from 57 individuals interred at La Real, corresponding to two chronologically distinct mortuary contexts at this Majes Valley site (n=22 early MH, n=35 late MH). Results show no significant difference in δ13C values between the two temporal groups. Individuals from the earlier context displayed significantly higher δ15N values than those from the late MH. These temporal comparisons hint at stability in maize and chicha consumption and decline in protein consumption with Wari imperial encroachment. However, the range of δ13C values suggests increasing stratification in access to C4 plants. We also compare La Real stable isotope values to seven other Middle Horizon sites. La Real has significantly different δ13C values from the other sites, excluding Beringa (also in the Majes Valley); statistically similar values were seen for δ15N. Significant differences in diet between La Real and other MH sites other than Beringa point to the effects of local ecology, durable trade relations, and local cultural food preferences in shaping community dietary patterns.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2023: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 88th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR (2023)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 36261.0