Isotopic Data from Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) at Houck, Arizona (A.D. 800-1250)

Summary

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

As the only domesticated animal native to the North American continent, analysis of turkey husbandry in the prehistoric American Southwest is important to understand human-avian interaction, foddering techniques, and trade. Direct analysis of turkey remains provides information about their myriad functions. The Houck community of sites is located at 6,035 feet along the Puerco River Valley on the Colorado Plateau in northeastern Arizona (A.D. 800-1250). Houck was occupied during Chaco Canyon’s peak exhibiting a great house with Chacoan masonry. Previous zooarchaeological studies show that some Houck turkeys were used for gathering feathers. We combine dietary and geolocation isotopic data to analyze aspects of turkey husbandry at Houck from >35 turkeys found in various contexts. Houck turkeys consumed a strong C4 diet, likely maize fodder (carbon: -8.5‰, nitrogen: 9.3‰). These dietary isotopic values indicate that Houck turkeys were fed maize from fertilized fields, more so than some North American prehistoric turkeys. Houck turkey average strontium value is 0.70965 and few turkeys are out of the range for soil samples near the site, suggesting local breeding. These results indicate a local practice of turkey husbandry at Houck communities during the peak of Chacoan influence. In honor of Jesse Alexander.

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): 40233.0