Ashley Sharpe | Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (original) (raw)

Articles by Ashley Sharpe

KIVA, 2024

Modern bison (Bison bison) populations have experienced dramatic shifts in the last millennium, r... more Modern bison (Bison bison) populations have experienced dramatic shifts in the last millennium, resulting from climatic fluctuations, human settlement growth, and overhunting. While bison populations are rebounding in some parts of the Southwest, the original extent of their range in this region is not clear. In west central New Mexico, the presence of bison bones at Prehispanic sites could indicate the presence of local herds, but they could also have been items that were exchanged or brought from the east, including the Great Plains. This pilot study uses strontium (87Sr/86Sr) and lead (206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb) isotope analysis to determine whether the bison remains found at five sites in the vicinity of the Plains of San Agustin may have originated from that area. While no wild bison exist on the plains or in western New Mexico today, combined zooarchaeological and preliminary isotopic data indicate they had lived alongside communities in the region for centuries, and possibly millennia, before European contact.

Scientific Data, 2024

The Caribbean & Mesoamerica Biogeochemical Isotope Overview (CAMBIO) is an archaeological data co... more The Caribbean & Mesoamerica Biogeochemical Isotope Overview (CAMBIO) is an archaeological data community designed to integrate published biogeochemical data from the Caribbean, Mesoamerica, and southern Central america to address questions about dynamic interactions among humans, animals, and the environment in the region over the past 10,000 years. Here we present the CAMBIO human dataset, which consists of more than 16,000 isotopic measurements from human skeletal tissue samples (δ 13 C, δ 15 N, δ 34 S, δ 18 O, 87 Sr/ 86 Sr, 206/204 Pb, 207/204 Pb, 208/204 Pb, 207/206 Pb) from 290 archaeological sites dating between 7000 BC to modern times. The open-access dataset also includes detailed chronological, contextual, and laboratory/sample preparation information for each measurement. the collated data are deposited on the open-access CAMBIO data community via the Pandora Initiative data platform (https://pandoradata.earth/organization/cambio).

The Mayanist, 2024

En los suelos de la planicie costera del Pacífico se encuentran algunas de las tierras más produc... more En los suelos de la planicie costera del Pacífico se encuentran algunas de
las tierras más productivas de toda Mesoamérica. La planicie, conformada por depósitos aluviales ricos en nutrientes es irrigada por numerosos ríos que descienden desde la cordillera volcánica y se dirigen al océano Pacífico. Por miles de años, las poblaciones costeñas aprovecharon estas condiciones, convirtiéndose en grandes centros con economías sustentadas en el cultivo de hortalizas y el comercio a larga distancia. En los últimos siglos el paisaje de la planicie ha sido modificado
drásticamente aprovechando los fértiles suelos para acomodar toda variedad de cultivos. La perturbación descontrolada del bioma, que incluye deforestación a gran escala, desvío y contaminación de ríos, introducción de especies invasoras y presión demográfica, han ocasionado una degradación severa en todos los ecosistemas de la planicie. Muchas especies han sido extirpadas en la región, mientras que el paisaje predominante son las grandes plantaciones de monocultivos que se extienden por el horizonte. Tras las profundas alteraciones al paisaje, la reconstrucción del ambiente antiguo es complicada e incorpora muchas posibilidades y suposiciones, pero un acercamiento multidisciplinario con evidencias arqueológicas sustentadas en documentaciones históricas y evidencias toponímicas, así como en análisis zooarqueológicos, paleobotánicos e iconográficos nos adentran a un paisaje probable acontecido alrededor del año 500 de la era común.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2024

This study examines the carbon (δ13C), oxygen (δ18O), and strontium (87Sr/86Sr) isotopes from the... more This study examines the carbon (δ13C), oxygen (δ18O), and strontium (87Sr/86Sr) isotopes from the dental enamel of 63 animals and compares these data to the carbon signatures from 21 humans from the Maya site of Ceibal, Guatemala. Comparing both domestic dogs and non-domestic species over a history spanning two millennia, we find that subsistence strategies and interregional relationships between Ceibal and other areas changed over time, likely because of broader sociopolitical trends that affected the entire Maya region. During the first half of Ceibal's history (1100 BCE-250 CE), dogs consumed more maize than humans. Dogs were likely intentionally fed maize as they were a major meat source at the time, and "foreign"-born dogs were transported to the site from the volcanic highlands, two hundred kilometers to the south. The reliance on dogs as food appears to have changed during the Early Classic period (250-600 CE), as much of the site was abandoned and the remaining inhabitants began to focus their subsistence predominantly on maize agriculture and hunting local deer. Mammals were no longer moved from long distances to Ceibal, as the principal faunal imports were marine shells from an exchange network with the Caribbean coast. The isotope data complement other artifactual data at the site and demonstrate how Maya subsistence strategies varied over time.

The Holocene, 2024

The application of stable isotope analyses allows a diachronic characterisation of species habita... more The application of stable isotope analyses allows a diachronic characterisation of species habitat and feeding behaviour, information of utmost importance for zooarchaeological research. In South America, the former distribution of the guanaco (Lama guanicoe) encompassed a much larger territory than the current one. Within the Argentinean Great Chaco, only a small native population persists in Northwestern Córdoba province, Central Argentina, where it was once widely distributed. In this paper, we present the first set of dentin and collagen δ13C and δ15N values for this relict population (N = 18) along with archaeological data of guanaco specimens (N = 19) dated to the Middle and Late Holocene from the nearby Ongamira valley. Neither deciduous and permanent teeth nor males and females show marked differences within the modern samples. Both modern and archaeological guanaco δ13C values indicate a mixed diet of C3 and, to a lesser extent, C4 plants. Conversely, the δ15N values exhibit distinct signals between the Arid and the Mountain Chaco subregions. The diet breadth of the archaeological guanacos suggests the use of transitional or ecotonal environments, also reflected in the size of their isotopic niche as opposed to modern guanacos. Regarding the timing of the species retraction in the region, there is no evidence of a shift in its habitat during the period between ~4700 and 190014C years BP. We suggest their retraction probably occurred later than previously proposed in regional zooarchaeological models.

Isotope Research in Zooarchaeology: Methods, Applications, and Advances, 2022

The analysis of lead isotopes (206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb) in ancient enamel and b... more The analysis of lead isotopes (206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb) in ancient enamel and bone is a relatively new technique for tracking lead exposure, as well as the movement of animals across the landscape. The methods and limitations for lead isotope testing on ancient faunal remains are still being explored. Lead isotopes in archaeological faunal material are prone to two types of contamination, namely diagenesis and modern anthropogenic pollutants. Special techniques must therefore be implemented to assure the quality and reproducibility of lead isotope results. This study assesses the lead isotope and trace element results from animal teeth recovered from the ancient Maya sites of Ceibal and Kaminaljuyu, Guatemala, and Cerros in Belize. These sites cover a range of geologic and geographic variables. Lead isotopes are compared across different chronological phases and among different species. These variables allow us to assess the quality of lead isotope data in a region that did not have high concentrations of lead in the environment until the last hundred years.

Isotope Research in Zooarchaeology: Methods, Applications, and Advances, 2022

Isotope research has become an integral part of archaeological faunal analyses, or zooarchaeology... more Isotope research has become an integral part of archaeological faunal analyses, or zooarchaeology, in recent years. Archaeologists can now examine the past relationships among humans, animals, and their surrounding environments in better detail than ever before. This chapter reviews the history of isotope applications in zooarchaeology, including investigations into such topics as diet and foodway practices, hunting and procurement strategies, status and differential provisioning, exchange patterns, animal rearing and husbandry, biological consequences of domestication, and short- and long-term environmental changes. Studies around the world continue to develop and expand on the available corpus of isotopic methods, underscoring the promise this field has to offer for years to come.

Ancient Mesoamerica, 2022

This study examines artifact production using lithic, animal bone, and shell materials at the low... more This study examines artifact production using lithic, animal bone, and shell materials at the lowland Maya site of Ceibal, Guatemala, to explore the emergence and societal role of early crafting specialists. During the Middle Preclassic period (1000-350 b.c.), ancient Maya society went through a critical transition to sedentary settlements, including the development of large-scale monumental construction endeavors for ceremonial activities, increasingly nucleated settlement patterns, and the differential control of prestigious objects. Excavations across Ceibal recovered one of the largest Middle Preclassic assemblages of lithic and faunal material to date. We examine these materials in order to understand the nature of their manufacturing processes, the association between lithic production and bone/shell processing for meat and artifact production, and compare these activities with evidence from other Middle Preclassic sites and from the later Classic period. We find that Middle Preclassic middens are often disturbed or incorporated into later construction episodes over many generations, making the identification of such activities difficult, although not impossible, to identify archaeologically. Evidence for crafting is often found near ceremonial structures where Ceibal's early elite would have been present, suggesting that they were closely involved in the production process.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2022

In the Maya lowlands, where bedrock consists largely of carbonate rocks, aquatic organisms living... more In the Maya lowlands, where bedrock consists largely of carbonate rocks, aquatic organisms living in inland bodies of water may incorporate inorganic carbon derived from those rocks. Their tissues may reflect the freshwater reservoir effect (FRE), which would give radiocarbon dates older than those of contemporaneous terrestrial plants. FRE may also affect humans and terrestrial animals that consume those aquatic organisms. To evaluate the FRE of the Pasión River region of Guatemala, we radiocarbon dated modern fish and mollusks, as well as mollusk shells and terrestrial plants found in a lake core. The modern fish and the mollusk soft tissues indicated a radiocarbon age offset of 596 ± 422 years, whereas lake core samples gave an offset of 2124 ± 148 years. The difference most likely resulted from the incorporation of inorganic carbon in shell carbonate in addition to metabolic carbon. We applied these data to 50 radiocarbon dates of human remains excavated from Ceibal and nearby sites. To estimate the portion of aquatic organisms in their diet, we analyzed carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes of these remains with the Bayesian mixing model FRUITS (Food Reconstruction Using Isotopic Transferred Signals). The offset of 596 ± 422 years led to radiocarbon date corrections of 92–179 years to human remains from the Middle Preclassic period and 44–99 years to those from the later periods. The applications of FRE corrections suggest that groups maintaining an Archaic way of life may have coexisted with ceramic-using groups when ceremonial complexes were built. This study indicates the importance of considering FRE in chronology building, particularly for the Preclassic period.

Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2022

This study provides an isotopic examination of both human and animal paleodiets and mobility patt... more This study provides an isotopic examination of both human and animal paleodiets and mobility patterns at a highland Maya community. Kaminaljuyu, Guatemala, was a large Prehispanic center located in a distinctly cooler, drier setting compared with the majority of Maya sites in the surrounding lowlands. Previous archaeological research at Kaminaljuyu revealed it played an important political and economic role in the Maya region, assisting in the obsidian trade network and maintaining ties with communities as far away as Teotihuacan in central Mexico. By examining the strontium (87 Sr/ 86 Sr), carbon (δ 13 C), and oxygen (δ 18 O) isotope values from dental enamel of humans and terrestrial mammals at the site, this study provides direct evidence of long-distance animal trade, explores the nature and timing of such activities, and compares highland dietary patterns with faunal studies in the lowlands. Our results indicate that isotopically non-local humans and animals are most frequently found in special and ceremonial contexts, indicating that long-distance movements of people and products were motivated for politically or ritually significant events. Although dietary patterns showed cross-species variation, diets within species were similar between highland and lowland settings.

Latin American Antiquity, 2022

This study examines the ritual and socioeconomic significance of animals in ceremonial contexts a... more This study examines the ritual and socioeconomic significance of animals in ceremonial contexts at Kaminaljuyu, Guatemala. Kaminaljuyu was once the largest and most politically powerful highland Maya center. We compare faunal remains from different contexts, including burials and dedicatory offerings in and around monumental features, to better understand the role of animals in these deposits. We then compare ceremonial activities across Mesoamerica to identify similarities alluding to widely recognized practices. Late and Terminal Preclassic (350 BC-AD 250) ceremonies at Kaminaljuyu contain some of the earliest marine fish recovered from a Maya highland site, demonstrating the ability of early elites to obtain exotic species for special events. Dogs, including perhaps the first evidence for Preclassic hairless dogs in Guatemala, appear in deposits that resemble canine sacrificial offerings in central Mexico. The new faunal data in this study provide a novel perspective on Kaminaljuyu's sociopolitical role in the region.

Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 2021

Throughout much of the pre-Hispanic Andes, bioarchaeological and iconographic evidence shows that... more Throughout much of the pre-Hispanic Andes, bioarchaeological and iconographic evidence shows that the decapitation, dismemberment, and display of human heads were important aspects of ritual practices. Researchers have debated about the social identities of these decapitated heads—were they revered local ancestors, non-local enemies captured in raids or war, or locals injured in distant combat partially repatriated for home burial—answers which have distinct implications for understanding the motivations and social contexts of this practice. We describe trophy-taking and trophy-making from the Uraca cemetery in pre-Hispanic Arequipa, Peru. To determine whether these trophies were locals, we employ radiogenic isotope analyses (87Sr/86Sr, 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, 208Pb/204Pb) of tooth enamel from 37 individuals (25 nontrophies and 12 adult male trophies). To understand the degree of childhood mobility that occurred and whether that differed between individuals who became trophies and those who did not, we also examine 87Sr/86Sr, 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, 208Pb/204Pb in paired teeth from infancy/early childhood and middle childhood of 18 individuals (8 non-trophies and 10 trophies). Results show that 20% of the non-trophies and 75% of the trophies were non-local relative to modeled local 87Sr/86Sr and mean (± 2 SD) of lead isotope values. Intra-childhood differences show that the individuals who became trophies experienced more childhood mobility than non-trophy individuals. This suggests Uraca’s external interactions and mobility were structured by violent intergroup raids and warfare throughout the region. Ongoing analyses will extend Uraca’s residential isobiographies to adolescence and late-life, refine the expected range of isotope ratios in the region, and clarify the extent of Majes Valley mobility during the mid-first millennium CE.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2021

This study uses carbon (δ 13 C), nitrogen (δ 15 N), oxygen (δ 18 O), and strontium (87 Sr/ 86 Sr)... more This study uses carbon (δ 13 C), nitrogen (δ 15 N), oxygen (δ 18 O), and strontium (87 Sr/ 86 Sr) isotopes to infer the diets and mobility patterns of pre-Columbian humans from seven archaeological sites in Panama: Cerro Mangote, Sitio Sierra, and Cerro Juan Díaz in central Pacific Panama; Cerro Brujo and Sitio Drago along Panama's northwest Caribbean coast; Jicarita Island in the Gulf of Chiriquí; and Pedro González Island in the Gulf of Panama. Our initial hypotheses were 1) individuals from island and coastal settlements relied more heavily on marine food than those from inland settlements, 2) dietary dependency on maize increased over time, and 3) little or no evidence exists for mobility. Generally, the results did not support these hypotheses: 1) the ecotonal community of Cerro Juan Díaz consumed large quantities of marine food, 2) maize consumption varied over time at different sites, and 3) non-local individuals appeared at multiple sites, including one possible case of an individual who had been moved after death. While this study is intended to be a preliminary analysis of human diet and mobility patterns among pre-Columbian Panamanians, it highlights the complex nature of human activities and the value of incorporating multiple lines of archaeological, osteological, geochemical, and ecological evidence for interpreting bioarchaeological data.

This study uses a multiisotope (carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and strontium) approach to examine earl... more This study uses a multiisotope (carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and
strontium) approach to examine early animal management in the
Maya region. An analysis of faunal specimens across almost 2,000 years (1000 BC to AD 950) at the site of Ceibal, Guatemala, reveals the
earliest evidence for live-traded dogs and possible captive-reared
taxa in the Americas. These animals may have been procured for
ceremonial functions based on their location in the monumental site
core, suggesting that animal management and trade began in the
Maya area to promote special events, activities that were critical in
the development of state society. Isotopic evidence for animal
captivity at Ceibal reveals that animalmanagement played a greater
role in Maya communities than previously believed.

PLoS ONE, 2020

It is well known that the development of the ancient Maya civilization had significant and long-l... more It is well known that the development of the ancient Maya civilization had significant and long-lasting impacts on the environment. This study assesses a large collection of faunal remains (>35,000 specimens) recovered over a span of several kilometers in and around the archaeological site of Ceibal, Guatemala, in order to determine whether the composition of animal resources was continuous throughout the site's history between 1000 BC and AD 1200, or whether there were any changes that could be attributed to sociopolitical or environmental causes. Results show a steep uniform decline in the number of freshwater mol-lusks across the site that occurred during the Preclassic to Classic transition, when large region-wide political changes, including the development of more complex and centralized political organization, took place throughout the Maya region. Evidence of species introductions (e.g., turkeys from central Mexico and possibly the Dermatemys river turtle from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec) and variations in resource exchange (e.g. marine shells) over time indicate that Ceibal was one of likely many communities involved in long-distance animal exchange networks. The results of the faunal analysis at Ceibal show how the ancient Maya had a complex and ever-changing relationship with the local wildlife, with outcomes that can still be observed in the environment today.

Cambridge Archaeological Journal, 2021

Large material accumulations from single events found in the archaeological record are frequently... more Large material accumulations from single events found in the archaeological record are frequently defined as evidence of ritual. They are interpreted as generalized deposit categories that imply rather than infer human motivations. While useful in the initial collection of data, these categories can, over time, become interpretations in and of themselves. The emic motivations behind the formation process of 'ritual deposits' ought to be considered using a relational ontology as an approach to understanding how past populations interacted with non-human actors, such as structures and natural features on the landscape. The present study evaluates the assembly and possible function of a dense deposit of artifacts recovered from a Classic period sweat bath at Xultun, Guatemala. Analyses of the various artifact types and human remains in the deposit in relation to what is known of the social history of the sweat bath itself illustrate ontological relationships among offered materials as well as between the offering and the personified place in which it was recovered. We observe that with a better understanding of place, it is possible to evaluate the ritual logic in Classic Maya material negotiations.

We examined the potential use of lead (Pb) isotopes to source archaeological materials from the M... more We examined the potential use of lead (Pb) isotopes to source archaeological materials from the Maya region of Mesoamerica. The main objectives were to determine if: 1) geologic terrains throughout the Maya area exhibit distinct lead isotope ratios (206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb), and 2) a combination of lead and strontium ratios can enhance sourcing procedures in the Mesoamerica region. We analyzed 60 rock samples for lead isotope ratios and a representative subset of samples for lead, uranium, and thorium concentrations across the Maya region, including the Northern Lowlands of the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula, the Southern Lowlands of Guatemala and Belize, the Volcanic Highlands, the Belizean Maya Mountains, and the Metamorphic Province/Motagua Valley. Although there is some overlap within certain sub-regions, particularly the geologically diverse Metamorphic Province, lead isotopes can be used to distinguish between the Northern Lowlands, the Southern Lowlands, and the Volcanic Highlands. The distinct lead isotope ratios in the sub-regions are related to the geology of the Maya area, exhibiting a general trend in the lowlands of geologically younger rocks in the north to older rocks in the south, and Cenozoic volcanic rocks in the southern highlands. Combined with other sourcing techniques such as strontium (87Sr/86Sr) and oxygen (δ18O), a regional baseline for lead isotope ratios can contribute to the development of lead isoscapes in the Maya area, and may help to distinguish among geographic sub-regions at a finer scale than has been previously possible. These isotope baselines will provide archaeologists with an additional tool to track the origin and movement of ancient humans and artifacts across this important region.

Ancient Mesoamerica, 2019

This study examines 2,000 years of marine trade to the ancient Maya site of Ceibal, Guatemala. Lo... more This study examines 2,000 years of marine trade to the ancient Maya site of Ceibal, Guatemala. Located almost 150 kilometers from the nearest coast in Belize, Ceibal was a large community spanning the Middle Preclassic through early Postclassic periods (1000 b.c.-a.d. 1200). It therefore provides an excellent opportunity to assess the marine resources imported through the southern Maya lowlands over many centuries, offering insight into trade networks, uses of shell ornaments, religious beliefs and rituals, and other activities involving marine species. The study compares marine invertebrate data from Ceibal to a neighboring subordinate community, Caobal, as well as data previously reported from sites in the southern Mesoamerican lowlands, in order to understand regional sociocultural and trade connections over time. The majority of Ceibal's marine taxa are Atlantic species and reflect shell trends observed elsewhere in Guatemala and Belize, suggesting strong ties to trade networks eastward to the coast that lasted many centuries.

Ancient Mesoamerica, 2014

Eduard Seler’s 1909 analysis of the various birds and their associated symbolism in the Mexican c... more Eduard Seler’s 1909 analysis of the various birds and their associated symbolism in the Mexican codices is one of the most thorough undertakings of its kind; however, although numerous revelations have been made in the realm of codex research over the past century, no comprehensive attempt has been undergone to revise Seler’s initial identifications. The present study reviews the major bird species from Seler’s original essay. Seven codices from the Borgia and Aztec Groups are assessed, so as to compare species traits and symbolic representations between both regions. The study incorporates recent research on the central Mexican codices, symbolism, myths, and ethnohistoric accounts, in addition to discoveries made over the last century in the fields of ornithology and zooarchaeology, in order to revise the identifications made in Seler’s original work and to create a more comprehensive review of the roles each of these birds played in ancient Mexican mythology.

Zooarchaeology in Practice, 2018

Zooarchaeology is a field heavily integrated with many other disciplines, including zoology, biol... more Zooarchaeology is a field heavily integrated with many other disciplines, including zoology, biology, ecology, geology, history, and anthropology. The basis of the discipline lies in the zooarchaeologist’s ability to identify faunal remains based on analogy with known specimens, either from a comparative faunal collection or from experience. Yet, today many zooarchaeologists work in regions of the world without adequate comparative materials or in diverse settings with different research demands, such as contract archaeology or forensic laboratories. At the same time, advances in genetic research are restructuring the phylogenetic classification schemes of many taxa, calling into question the foundation of zooarchaeological analogy. In this chapter we argue that zooarchaeologists, who have never had specific disciplinary-wide “research standards”, should seek epistemological flexibility regarding specimen identification, evaluation, and correction to continue the scientific advancement of the discipline. We review past zooarchaeologists’ concerns regarding the nature of specimen identification and data sharing, discuss the dynamic nature of species reclassification in phylogenetics and its effect on zooarchaeology, and provide case studies of challenges zooarchaeologists face while trying to make identifications in diverse settings and with less-than-adequate resources. Finally, we discuss the importance of maintaining epistemological flexibility in the age of “big data”, where shared datasets of identifications cannot and should not be seen as immutable entities, but rather observations that are subject to reanalysis, change, and improvement as zooarchaeologists keep abreast of ongoing discoveries in their own field as well as those of related disciplines.

KIVA, 2024

Scientific Data, 2024

The Mayanist, 2024

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2024

The Holocene, 2024

Isotope Research in Zooarchaeology: Methods, Applications, and Advances, 2022

Ancient Mesoamerica, 2022

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2022

Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2022

Latin American Antiquity, 2022

Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 2021

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2021

PLoS ONE, 2020

Cambridge Archaeological Journal, 2021

Ancient Mesoamerica, 2019

Ancient Mesoamerica, 2014

Zooarchaeology in Practice, 2018

Technical Report (Informe), 2019

Informe de temporada de campo 2018, Resolución 270-18 DNPH - Report for the 2018 Field Season, fo... more Informe de temporada de campo 2018, Resolución 270-18
DNPH - Report for the 2018 Field Season, for INAC Resolution 270-18

Simposio de Investigaciones Arqueológicas en Guatemala, 2018

Los baños de vapor se ha utilizado en Mesoamérica durante más de un milenio con fines recreativos... more Los baños de vapor se ha utilizado en Mesoamérica durante más de un milenio con fines recreativos, como retiros medicinales para curar dolores y enfermedades y como habitaciones para que las mujeres den a luz y para ceremonias rituales relacionadas con el nacimiento. Aquí presentamos el descubrimiento de una estructura única de baño de sudor con imágenes acuáticas y de parto y ofrendas de fauna en el sitio de Xultun. Los frescos intactos en el exterior de la estructura ilustran una figura primaria adornada con caracteres de anfibios y reptiles, y también incluye una entrada enmarcada en el centro de las figuras en cuclillas. La cámara central y el área cerca de la cámara de combustión contenían un ensamblaje de fauna principalmente acuática, que incluía varios sapos de caña grandes (Rhinella marina) y lagartos que coincidían con las ilustraciones en el exterior de la estructura. Las aves juveniles y los mamíferos, incluido un bebé humano, también se encontraban entre los miembros del grupo esquelético. Si bien la evidencia arqueológica de los baños de sudor es común en toda Mesoamérica en forma de arquitectura estructural, el simbolismo ilustrativo y de artefactos excepcionalmente conservado del baño de sudor Xultun proporciona una gran cantidad de detalles sobre las antiguas asociaciones religiosas que rodean estas estructuras importantes, incluido el fuerte vínculo entre el reino acuático y el proceso de nacimiento y llegada a la existencia.

Tourist brochures inform visitors that “Panamá” meant “abundance of fish” to the original inhabit... more Tourist brochures inform visitors that “Panamá” meant “abundance of fish” to the original inhabitants. This is hardly surprising on a narrow isthmus bathed by two contrasting oceans. Coastal and riverine resources played a fundamental role in the diet and economy of native isthmian cultures as perceived from archaeological evidence and ethnohistoric accounts. This chapter focuses on the protracted pre-Columbian fishing strategies and preferences along the Pacific coast and on continental (platform) islands. Owing to high tidal ranges and to the discharge of sizeable rivers, some estuarine flats on the Pacific mainland are extensive. Seasonal upwelling triggered by strong offshore trade winds lowers sea surface temperatures in Panama Bay which enhances the abundance of small shoaling fish (e.g., anchovies) and their avian and nektonic predators. The authors make use of several analytical methods to provide a chronological and regional synthesis of pre-Columbian coastal and island lifeways in Pacific Panama from ca 8000 BP to 1520 CE.

Scientific data, Apr 8, 2024

Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2022

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Mar 19, 2018

This open access article is distributed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDeriva... more This open access article is distributed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License 4.0 (CC BY-NC-ND).

PLOS ONE, Apr 7, 2020

It is well known that the development of the ancient Maya civilization had significant and long-l... more It is well known that the development of the ancient Maya civilization had significant and long-lasting impacts on the environment. This study assesses a large collection of faunal remains (>35,000 specimens) recovered over a span of several kilometers in and around the archaeological site of Ceibal, Guatemala, in order to determine whether the composition of animal resources was continuous throughout the site's history between 1000 BC and AD 1200, or whether there were any changes that could be attributed to sociopolitical or environmental causes. Results show a steep uniform decline in the number of freshwater mollusks across the site that occurred during the Preclassic to Classic transition, when large region-wide political changes, including the development of more complex and centralized political organization, took place throughout the Maya region. Evidence of species introductions (e.g., turkeys from central Mexico and possibly the Dermatemys river turtle from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec) and variations in resource exchange (e.g. marine shells) over time indicate that Ceibal was one of likely many communities involved in long-distance animal exchange networks. The results of the faunal analysis at Ceibal show how the ancient Maya had a complex and ever-changing relationship with the local wildlife, with outcomes that can still be observed in the environment today.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

Isotope Research in Zooarchaeology

Journal of Archaeological Science

The Caribbean Sea is the most species-rich sea in the Atlantic, largely due to its vast coral ree... more The Caribbean Sea is the most species-rich sea in the Atlantic, largely due to its vast coral reef systems. However, its high biodiversity and endemism face unprecedented anthropogenic threats, including synergistic modern pressures from overfishing, climate change and bioinvasion. Archaeological data indicate initial human settlement of the Caribbean ∼7000 years before present (yr BP), with regionally variable human impacts on fisheries through time based on standard morphological identification of fish bone. Such studies, however, are challenged by the low taxonomic resolution of archaeological fish bone identifications due to high species diversity and morphological similarity between members of different families or genera. Here, we present collagen fingerprinting (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry; ZooMS) as a method to overcome this challenge, applying it to 1000 archaeological bone specimens identified morphologically as ray-finned fish (superclass Actinopterygii) from 13 circum-Caribbean sites spanning ca. 3150–300 yr BP (years before present). The method successfully identified collagen-containing samples (n = 720) to family (21%), genus (57%), and species (13%) level. Of the 209 samples that were morphologically identified below superclass, collagen fingerprinting verified the taxonomic identity of 94% of these, but also refined the identifications to a lower [more precise] taxon in 45% of cases. The remaining 6% of morphological identifications were found to be incorrectly assigned. This study represents the largest application of ZooMS to archaeological fish bones to date and advances future research through the identification of up to 20 collagen biomarkers for 45 taxa in 10 families and 2 orders. The results indicate that refinement of ZooMS archaeological fish identifications in this study is limited not by the quality of the preserved collagen but by the extent of the available modern collagen reference collection. Thus, efforts should be directed towards expanding collagen fingerprint databases in the first instance. Significantly, the high-resolution taxonomic identifications of archaeological bone that ZooMS can offer make ancient fisheries data highly relevant to modern sustainability and conservation efforts in the Caribbean. Additionally, more precise identifications will allow archaeologists to address a variety of questions related to cultural fishing practices and changes in fish stocks through time. This study supports the use of ZooMS as an effective biochemical tool available for mass-taxonomic identification of archaeological fish bone samples spanning century to millennial time scales in the circum-Caribbean.

The 86th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, 2021

PLOS ONE, May 1, 2020

This article was republished on April 17, 2020, to remove Supporting Information files that were ... more This article was republished on April 17, 2020, to remove Supporting Information files that were incorrectly included in the originally published article. The publisher apologizes for the errors. Please download this article again to view the correct version.

Zooarchaeology in Practice, 2017

Nature Human Behaviour, 2021

City plans symbolizing cosmologies have long been recognized as a defining element of Mesoamerica... more City plans symbolizing cosmologies have long been recognized as a defining element of Mesoamerican civilizations. The origins of formal spatial configurations are thus the key to understanding early civilizations in the region. Assessment of this issue, however, has been hindered by the lack of systematic studies of site plans over broad areas. Here, we report the identification of 478 formal rectangular and square complexes, probably dating from 1,050 to 400 BC, through a lidar (laser imaging, detection and ranging) survey across the Olmec region and the western Maya lowlands. Our analysis of lidar data also revealed that the earlier Olmec centre of San Lorenzo had a central rectangular space, which possibly provided the spatial template for later sites. This format was probably formalized and spread after the decline of San Lorenzo through intensive interaction across various regions. These observations highlight the legacy of San Lorenzo and the critical role of inter-regional interaction.

Ancient Mesoamerica

This study examines artifact production using lithic, animal bone, and shell materials at the low... more This study examines artifact production using lithic, animal bone, and shell materials at the lowland Maya site of Ceibal, Guatemala, to explore the emergence and societal role of early crafting specialists. During the Middle Preclassic period (1000–350 b.c.), ancient Maya society went through a critical transition to sedentary settlements, including the development of large-scale monumental construction endeavors for ceremonial activities, increasingly nucleated settlement patterns, and the differential control of prestigious objects. Excavations across Ceibal recovered one of the largest Middle Preclassic assemblages of lithic and faunal material to date. We examine these materials in order to understand the nature of their manufacturing processes, the association between lithic production and bone/shell processing for meat and artifact production, and compare these activities with evidence from other Middle Preclassic sites and from the later Classic period. We find that Middle P...

Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2022

This study provides an isotopic examination of both human and animal paleodiets and mobility patt... more This study provides an isotopic examination of both human and animal paleodiets and mobility patterns at a highland Maya community. Kaminaljuyu, Guatemala, was a large Prehispanic center located in a distinctly cooler, drier setting compared with the majority of Maya sites in the surrounding lowlands. Previous archaeological research at Kaminaljuyu revealed it played an important political and economic role in the Maya region, assisting in the obsidian trade network and maintaining ties with communities as far away as Teotihuacan in central Mexico. By examining the strontium ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr), carbon (δ 13 C), and oxygen (δ 18 O) isotope values from dental enamel of humans and terrestrial mammals at the site, this study provides direct evidence of long-distance animal trade, explores the nature and timing of such activities, and compares highland dietary patterns with faunal studies in the lowlands. Our results indicate that isotopically non-local humans and animals are most frequentl...

Through case studies of faunal remains from Roman Britain, prehistoric Southeast Asia, ancient Af... more Through case studies of faunal remains from Roman Britain, prehistoric Southeast Asia, ancient African pastoral cultures, and beyond, this volume illustrates some of the ways stable isotope analysis of ancient animals can address key questions in human prehistory. Contributors use a diverse set of isotopic techniques to investigate social and biological topics, including human paleodiets and foodways, hunting and procurement strategies, exchange patterns, animal husbandry and the genetic consequences of domestication, and short- and long-term environmental change. They demonstrate how different isotopes can be used alone or in conjunction to address questions of animal diet, movement, ecology, and management. Studies also examine how sampling strategies, statistical techniques, and regional and temporal considerations can influence isotopic results and interpretations. By applying these new methods in concert with traditional zooarchaeological analyses, archaeologists can explore questions about human ecology and environmental archaeology that were previously deemed inaccessible.