The Dietary Practices of the Ancient Inhabitants of the Chengdu Plain

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The extent to which aquatic resources influenced the dietary patterns of the Chengdu Plain's inhabitants is poorly understood, despite the region's intricate network of river channels. This research examines the nitrogen isotope makeup of specific amino acids in collagen derived from human bone samples collected from three sites in Sichuan. The objective of this study is to gain insight into the subsistence practices on the Chengdu Plain, spanning from the late Neolithic to the middle Bronze Age. This period is notable for the introduction and growing significance of agriculture and animal domestication in the region.

The nitrogen isotope ratios of phenylalanine (δ15NPhe) and glutamic acid (δ15NGlu) suggest that the individuals residing on the Chengdu Plain predominantly relied on terrestrial foods. The dietary reliance on aquatic resources was found to be restricted. One potential rationale for the limited reliance on water resources could be attributed to the advancement of agriculture and the domestication of animals, which provided an ample supply of food. This study additionally evaluates the importance of these subsistence economies in the social development of the Chengdu Plain.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 39193.0