Diana K Moreiras Reynaga | University of British Columbia (original) (raw)
Papers by Diana K Moreiras Reynaga
Religions
In an age of “Big Data” the study of the history and archaeology of religion faces an exponential... more In an age of “Big Data” the study of the history and archaeology of religion faces an exponentially increasing quantity and range of data and scholarly interpretation. For the student and scholar alike, new tools that allow for efficient and accurate inquiry are a necessity. Here, the open-access and digital Database of Religious History (DRH) is presented as one such tool that addresses this need and is well suited for use in the classroom. In this article, we present the basic structure of the database along with a demonstration of its potential use. Following a thematic inquiry into questions concerning “high gods”, individual disciplinary-specific case studies examine applications to particular contexts across time and space. These case studies demonstrate the ways in which the DRH can test and disrupt ontologies through its ability to efficiently cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.
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This poster introduces my doctoral research project which entails a stable isotope analysis of hu... more This poster introduces my doctoral research project which entails a stable isotope analysis of human sacrificial subjects recovered from the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan and its sister city Tlatelolco (present-day Mexico City) dating to the Late Postclassic period (A.D. 1400 — 1519). The collections include adult and subadult sacrificed individuals from the Templo Mayor and Templo R. This research focuses on expanding our knowledge about dietary and mobility patterns of sacrificial subjects during Aztec times. For the purpose of this poster, I focus particularly on the dietary component of this study by introducing specific research hypotheses and discussing preliminary stable isotopic results in relation to the diets of those who were once offered to the Aztec gods.
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Quaternary International
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An interactive online database for gathering information about ancient maize samples that have be... more An interactive online database for gathering information about ancient maize samples that have been discovered in archaeological sites and other contexts throughout the Americas
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Religions
In an age of “Big Data” the study of the history and archaeology of religion faces an exponential... more In an age of “Big Data” the study of the history and archaeology of religion faces an exponentially increasing quantity and range of data and scholarly interpretation. For the student and scholar alike, new tools that allow for efficient and accurate inquiry are a necessity. Here, the open-access and digital Database of Religious History (DRH) is presented as one such tool that addresses this need and is well suited for use in the classroom. In this article, we present the basic structure of the database along with a demonstration of its potential use. Following a thematic inquiry into questions concerning “high gods”, individual disciplinary-specific case studies examine applications to particular contexts across time and space. These case studies demonstrate the ways in which the DRH can test and disrupt ontologies through its ability to efficiently cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.
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This dissertation investigates the dietary and residential patterns, using stable carbon, nitroge... more This dissertation investigates the dietary and residential patterns, using stable carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotope analyses, of human sacrifices from the Mexica’s (Aztec) Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan and the Templo R of Tlatelolco (in Mexico City), and a non-sacrificial Mexica group from Ecatepec (Mexico State). These skeletal collections date to the Postclassic period (A.D. 900–1520). This work uses a biocultural approach by incorporating bioarchaeological, archaeological, isotopic, and ethnohistorical evidence to examine the life histories of the sacrifices. The phosphate oxygen isotope analysis revealed that the individuals from Ecatepec were locals to the Basin of Mexico. Similarly, the Templo R sacrifices were locals or long-term residents to the Basin, except for one individual. There was more variability in the geographical residencies of the Templo Mayor sacrifices, with some identified as long-term residents and others as non-locals to the Basin. The possible regions of residency for the non-local sacrifices agree well with the regions conquered by the Mexicas during specific Imperial reigns. These findings demonstrate that the sacrifices could come from different regions of Mesoamerica, particularly for rituals held at the Templo Mayor. The sacrifices, however, could also be Mexicas and individuals who lived in the Basin of Mexico for a long period who became integrated into Mexica society prior to their sacrifice. The carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions from bone collagen indicated that there was little variability in the diets from Ecatepec, which mainly incorporated C4/CAM plants and animals raised on C4/CAM foods, C3 plants, and some lacustrine foods from the Basin of Mexico lakes. There was more dietary variability among the sacrifices from both temples. The Templo R diets were heterogeneous, indicative of a diverse food menu, while the Templo Mayor diets had the lowest nitrogen isotope compositions, demonstrating the consumption of terrestrial meat and overall less meat. As such, the sacrifices included a wide range of individuals from different locations and with different social identities. Hence, this work showcases the idea that the Mexicas established an effective system of obtaining sacrifices for their ceremonies through an array of ways (e.g., tribute, war, gifts, slavery, commoners)
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The Routledge Handbook of Mesoamerican Bioarchaeology
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Totem: The University of Western Ontario Journal of Anthropology, 2016
Given that sampling strategies and protocols in bioarchaeology are rarely discussed in the litera... more Given that sampling strategies and protocols in bioarchaeology are rarely discussed in the literature, this paper is an attempt at reflecting upon the skeletal sampling process (e.g., preparation period, development of strategies and protocols, decision-making process, collaboration with those involved) as well as provide some considerations that may be useful to other junior researchers carrying out their sampling within the realm of bioarchaeology (also may be applicable to other research fields that engage in sampling specimens from museum collections). I provide the considerations about human bone and teeth as it pertains to stable isotope analysis from the literature and then move to discuss my sampling process experience: the preparation period, the sampling process, and the sampling map I developed as an initial guide in the field. Finally, I discuss the main considerations I found helpful in the field which overall involve: 1) Familiarity with the skeletal collections; 2) Co...
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Data in Brief
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Religions 13, no.9, 793, 2022
In an age of “Big Data” the study of the history and archaeology of religion faces an exponential... more In an age of “Big Data” the study of the history and archaeology of religion faces an exponentially increasing quantity and range of data and scholarly interpretation. For the student and scholar alike, new tools that allow for efficient and accurate inquiry are a necessity. Here, the open-access and digital Database of Religious History (DRH) is presented as one such tool that addresses this need and is well suited for use in the classroom. In this article, we present the basic structure of the database along with a demonstration of its potential use. Following a thematic inquiry into questions concerning “high gods”, individual disciplinary-specific case studies examine applications to particular contexts across time and space. These case studies demonstrate the ways in which the DRH can test and disrupt ontologies through its ability to efficiently cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.
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The Routledge Handbook of Mesoamerican Bioarchaeology, May 9, 2022
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Data in Brief, 2021
Oxygen and hydrogen isotope data of meteoric water samples are compiled from several States acros... more Oxygen and hydrogen isotope data of meteoric water samples are compiled from several States across Mexico. This dataset includes 287 oxygen and hydrogen (and deuterium excess) isotope data corresponding to meteoric water collected from the surface, groundwater wells, irrigation and observation wells, and water supply boreholes. These data facilitate the development of maps to determine the spatial distribution of water stable isotopes, also known as “isoscapes”, of the Mex- ican territory. As such, this dataset (and the isoscapes built from it) is useful in geographic mobility studies that aim to evaluate geographic origins and residency of particular hu- man and/or non-human individuals in antiquity and in con- temporary times. Further discussion about the data and an example of an isoscape of Mexico using the meteoric water oxygen isotope data are provided in “Residential Patterns of Mexica Human Sacrifices at Mexico-Tenochtitlan and Mexico-Tlatelolco: Evidence from Phosphate Oxygen Isotopes”(Moreiras Reynaga et al., 2021). Overall, the dataset is useful in developing interpolated maps of water stable isotopes for rel- evant archeological, bioarchaeological, forensic, hydrogeological, and ecological research.
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Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, 2021
This is the first systematic study of residential patterns of Mexica human sacrifices, as determi... more This is the first systematic study of residential patterns of Mexica human sacrifices, as determined from bone and enamel phosphate oxygen isotope data of individuals recovered at the Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan (n = 36)
and the Templo R of Tlatelolco (n = 24). We identify these individuals’ geographic residences and compare these patterns with phosphate oxygen isotope data from a contemporary non-sacrificial group (Ecatepec; n = 24) from the Basin of Mexico. The sacrifices’ residential patterns are evaluated to assess their group membership (i.e., as locals, long-term residents, or non-locals from other regions of Mesoamerica). The Tlatelolco subadult and adult sacrifices were either locals or long-term residents. The Templo Mayor subadult sacrifices offered at several ceremonies were non-locals and long-term residents, while the adult sacrifices were long-term residents (e.g., slaves living in Tenochtitlan >10 yrs.) or non-locals (e.g., war captives, slaves, spoils-of-war sacrificed soon after arriving to the Basin). Our results demonstrate the Templo Mayor priests had broad access to long-term residents and non-locals with origins from Mesoamerican regions subjugated by the Mexica. This study illustrates the Mexica obtained individuals for sacrifice with a diverse range of physical, social, and geographic characteristics for their ritual ceremonies.
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Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2020
This paper presents the first systematic study of Aztec diets using bone collagen stable carbon a... more This paper presents the first systematic study of Aztec diets using bone collagen stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis. The objective was to identify the dietary patterns of an Aztec community living in the Basin of Mexico. The collection analyzed includes adult and subadult skeletons from the residential site of San Cristóbal Ecatepec (in present-day Mexico State) (A.D. 900–1521). The isotopic data were compared with available ethnohistoric and archeological information about Aztec diets. We conclude that Ecatepec residents consumed mostly C4 and CAM plants (as opposed to C3 plants), terrestrial animals, and some lacustrine resources. They shared similar diets and foodways, as indicated by the fact that they belonged to the same socio-economic group and that there were no substantial sex-based differences indicated by the isotopic data. The slightly higher carbon isotope compositions of the men compared with the women could be evidence of pulque consumption by the men—as noted in the ethnohistoric record. The nitrogen isotope compositions of the subadults, however, show some variability related to breastfeeding and weaning practices, with infants weaning between 2 and 4 years of age.
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Given that sampling strategies and protocols in bioarchaeology are rarely discussed in the litera... more Given that sampling strategies and protocols in bioarchaeology are rarely discussed in the literature, this paper is an attempt at reflecting upon the skeletal sampling process (e.g. preparation period, development of strategies and protocols, decision-making process, collaboration with those involved) as well as providing some considerations that may be useful to other junior researchers carrying out their sampling within the realm of bioarchaeology (and also may be applicable to other research fields that engage in sampling specimens from museum collections). I provide the considerations about human bone and teeth as it pertains to stable isotope analysis from the literature and then move to discuss my sampling process experience: the preparation period, the sampling process, and the sampling map I developed as an initial guide in the field. Finally, I discuss the main considerations I found helpful in the field which overall involve: 1) Familiarity with the skeletal collections; 2) Constant communication and participant collaboration with those involved in the process; 3) Establishing a feasible sampling protocol well-founded on research questions and biochemical analysis planned as a guide in the field but flexible and open to changes; 4) Handling administrative and logistical aspects of the process well in advance of the sampling visit, and 5) Continual awareness that while as researchers we value skeletal collections in a scientific manner, these also may have other kind of value to others so we must treat these collections with outmost respect at all times (i.e., when discussing, sampling, analyzing, interpreting, and disseminating our research).
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Theses by Diana K Moreiras Reynaga
This MA thesis focuses on the study of pre-Columbian subsistence and dietary patterns through the... more This MA thesis focuses on the study of pre-Columbian subsistence and dietary patterns through the use of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic analysis of human samples (n = 20) recovered from the Acapetahua, Mazatán, and Río Naranjo zones in the Soconusco region—located in the present-day state of Chiapas, México and the Northeastern coast of Guatemala. The stable isotope results in this study demonstrate the heterogeneity of ancient human diets in the Soconusco region, illustrating the complexity of ancient people’s lifeways from the Late Archaic (3500-1900 cal. B.C.) to the Late Postclassic (A.D. 1250-1530) periods. Further, the presence of C₄ plant (i.e., maize) consumption was minor isotopically compared with the consumption of a variety of locally available wild and cultivated food resources. As a result, there is an absence of a clear subsistence transition towards maize agriculture as the main subsistence practice in the region, based on the human samples analyzed in this study. While the quantification of every food source in the diet, including maize, is more difficult without additional data and other lines of evidence, I suggest that other food products like marine, estuarine, and riverine resources, as well as other wild and cultivated plant foods may have been more important in the every-day diets of Soconusco inhabitants across time (particularly at Mazatán). This appears to have been a common pattern indicative of the wide diversity of food resources found in tropical environments across Mesoamerica. For a copy of this thesis you can access the UBC LIBRARY LINK HERE: https://circle.ubc.ca/handle/2429/44302#!.
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This paper examines cacao’s (Theobroma cacao L.) physical and chemical composition, ecology, dist... more This paper examines cacao’s (Theobroma cacao L.) physical and chemical composition, ecology, distribution and habitat and summarizes the recent archaeological research on cacao, mapping its distribution as shown by various lines of archaeological evidence. Existing hypotheses for cacao’s spread are discussed and illustrated using a GIS mapping of detailed topographic maps of South and Central America. By focusing on the potential paths which cacao could have been transported and grown (at elevations ranging from sea-level to 1000 m) it is possible to eliminate many previously proposed routes, and pinpoint the most likely locations for the cacao’s earliest and subsequent dispersals. The paper also examines the ritual and cultural significance of cacao in Mesoamerica mainly based on the analysis of hieroglyphs and iconography as well as ethnohistorical, ethnographic, and other historical accounts. There is a commonality between the use of cacao in the archaeological and ethnohistorical record and in the iconographic analyses of vessels, temple wall murals, and other artifacts found throughout Mesoamerica. All of these lines of evidence point to the use of cacao for ritual and social purposes and its significance in religious and mythological symbolism. Directions for future work on cacao’s origins and spread are proposed, especially with respect to archaeological sites in Central and South America—regions which currently lack direct evidence for cacao’s historical uses, origins and spread. For a copy of this thesis you can access the UBC LIBRARY LINK HERE: https://circle.ubc.ca/handle/2429/34366#!.
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Religions
In an age of “Big Data” the study of the history and archaeology of religion faces an exponential... more In an age of “Big Data” the study of the history and archaeology of religion faces an exponentially increasing quantity and range of data and scholarly interpretation. For the student and scholar alike, new tools that allow for efficient and accurate inquiry are a necessity. Here, the open-access and digital Database of Religious History (DRH) is presented as one such tool that addresses this need and is well suited for use in the classroom. In this article, we present the basic structure of the database along with a demonstration of its potential use. Following a thematic inquiry into questions concerning “high gods”, individual disciplinary-specific case studies examine applications to particular contexts across time and space. These case studies demonstrate the ways in which the DRH can test and disrupt ontologies through its ability to efficiently cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.
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This poster introduces my doctoral research project which entails a stable isotope analysis of hu... more This poster introduces my doctoral research project which entails a stable isotope analysis of human sacrificial subjects recovered from the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan and its sister city Tlatelolco (present-day Mexico City) dating to the Late Postclassic period (A.D. 1400 — 1519). The collections include adult and subadult sacrificed individuals from the Templo Mayor and Templo R. This research focuses on expanding our knowledge about dietary and mobility patterns of sacrificial subjects during Aztec times. For the purpose of this poster, I focus particularly on the dietary component of this study by introducing specific research hypotheses and discussing preliminary stable isotopic results in relation to the diets of those who were once offered to the Aztec gods.
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Quaternary International
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An interactive online database for gathering information about ancient maize samples that have be... more An interactive online database for gathering information about ancient maize samples that have been discovered in archaeological sites and other contexts throughout the Americas
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Religions
In an age of “Big Data” the study of the history and archaeology of religion faces an exponential... more In an age of “Big Data” the study of the history and archaeology of religion faces an exponentially increasing quantity and range of data and scholarly interpretation. For the student and scholar alike, new tools that allow for efficient and accurate inquiry are a necessity. Here, the open-access and digital Database of Religious History (DRH) is presented as one such tool that addresses this need and is well suited for use in the classroom. In this article, we present the basic structure of the database along with a demonstration of its potential use. Following a thematic inquiry into questions concerning “high gods”, individual disciplinary-specific case studies examine applications to particular contexts across time and space. These case studies demonstrate the ways in which the DRH can test and disrupt ontologies through its ability to efficiently cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.
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This dissertation investigates the dietary and residential patterns, using stable carbon, nitroge... more This dissertation investigates the dietary and residential patterns, using stable carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotope analyses, of human sacrifices from the Mexica’s (Aztec) Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan and the Templo R of Tlatelolco (in Mexico City), and a non-sacrificial Mexica group from Ecatepec (Mexico State). These skeletal collections date to the Postclassic period (A.D. 900–1520). This work uses a biocultural approach by incorporating bioarchaeological, archaeological, isotopic, and ethnohistorical evidence to examine the life histories of the sacrifices. The phosphate oxygen isotope analysis revealed that the individuals from Ecatepec were locals to the Basin of Mexico. Similarly, the Templo R sacrifices were locals or long-term residents to the Basin, except for one individual. There was more variability in the geographical residencies of the Templo Mayor sacrifices, with some identified as long-term residents and others as non-locals to the Basin. The possible regions of residency for the non-local sacrifices agree well with the regions conquered by the Mexicas during specific Imperial reigns. These findings demonstrate that the sacrifices could come from different regions of Mesoamerica, particularly for rituals held at the Templo Mayor. The sacrifices, however, could also be Mexicas and individuals who lived in the Basin of Mexico for a long period who became integrated into Mexica society prior to their sacrifice. The carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions from bone collagen indicated that there was little variability in the diets from Ecatepec, which mainly incorporated C4/CAM plants and animals raised on C4/CAM foods, C3 plants, and some lacustrine foods from the Basin of Mexico lakes. There was more dietary variability among the sacrifices from both temples. The Templo R diets were heterogeneous, indicative of a diverse food menu, while the Templo Mayor diets had the lowest nitrogen isotope compositions, demonstrating the consumption of terrestrial meat and overall less meat. As such, the sacrifices included a wide range of individuals from different locations and with different social identities. Hence, this work showcases the idea that the Mexicas established an effective system of obtaining sacrifices for their ceremonies through an array of ways (e.g., tribute, war, gifts, slavery, commoners)
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The Routledge Handbook of Mesoamerican Bioarchaeology
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Totem: The University of Western Ontario Journal of Anthropology, 2016
Given that sampling strategies and protocols in bioarchaeology are rarely discussed in the litera... more Given that sampling strategies and protocols in bioarchaeology are rarely discussed in the literature, this paper is an attempt at reflecting upon the skeletal sampling process (e.g., preparation period, development of strategies and protocols, decision-making process, collaboration with those involved) as well as provide some considerations that may be useful to other junior researchers carrying out their sampling within the realm of bioarchaeology (also may be applicable to other research fields that engage in sampling specimens from museum collections). I provide the considerations about human bone and teeth as it pertains to stable isotope analysis from the literature and then move to discuss my sampling process experience: the preparation period, the sampling process, and the sampling map I developed as an initial guide in the field. Finally, I discuss the main considerations I found helpful in the field which overall involve: 1) Familiarity with the skeletal collections; 2) Co...
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Data in Brief
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Religions 13, no.9, 793, 2022
In an age of “Big Data” the study of the history and archaeology of religion faces an exponential... more In an age of “Big Data” the study of the history and archaeology of religion faces an exponentially increasing quantity and range of data and scholarly interpretation. For the student and scholar alike, new tools that allow for efficient and accurate inquiry are a necessity. Here, the open-access and digital Database of Religious History (DRH) is presented as one such tool that addresses this need and is well suited for use in the classroom. In this article, we present the basic structure of the database along with a demonstration of its potential use. Following a thematic inquiry into questions concerning “high gods”, individual disciplinary-specific case studies examine applications to particular contexts across time and space. These case studies demonstrate the ways in which the DRH can test and disrupt ontologies through its ability to efficiently cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.
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The Routledge Handbook of Mesoamerican Bioarchaeology, May 9, 2022
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Data in Brief, 2021
Oxygen and hydrogen isotope data of meteoric water samples are compiled from several States acros... more Oxygen and hydrogen isotope data of meteoric water samples are compiled from several States across Mexico. This dataset includes 287 oxygen and hydrogen (and deuterium excess) isotope data corresponding to meteoric water collected from the surface, groundwater wells, irrigation and observation wells, and water supply boreholes. These data facilitate the development of maps to determine the spatial distribution of water stable isotopes, also known as “isoscapes”, of the Mex- ican territory. As such, this dataset (and the isoscapes built from it) is useful in geographic mobility studies that aim to evaluate geographic origins and residency of particular hu- man and/or non-human individuals in antiquity and in con- temporary times. Further discussion about the data and an example of an isoscape of Mexico using the meteoric water oxygen isotope data are provided in “Residential Patterns of Mexica Human Sacrifices at Mexico-Tenochtitlan and Mexico-Tlatelolco: Evidence from Phosphate Oxygen Isotopes”(Moreiras Reynaga et al., 2021). Overall, the dataset is useful in developing interpolated maps of water stable isotopes for rel- evant archeological, bioarchaeological, forensic, hydrogeological, and ecological research.
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Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, 2021
This is the first systematic study of residential patterns of Mexica human sacrifices, as determi... more This is the first systematic study of residential patterns of Mexica human sacrifices, as determined from bone and enamel phosphate oxygen isotope data of individuals recovered at the Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan (n = 36)
and the Templo R of Tlatelolco (n = 24). We identify these individuals’ geographic residences and compare these patterns with phosphate oxygen isotope data from a contemporary non-sacrificial group (Ecatepec; n = 24) from the Basin of Mexico. The sacrifices’ residential patterns are evaluated to assess their group membership (i.e., as locals, long-term residents, or non-locals from other regions of Mesoamerica). The Tlatelolco subadult and adult sacrifices were either locals or long-term residents. The Templo Mayor subadult sacrifices offered at several ceremonies were non-locals and long-term residents, while the adult sacrifices were long-term residents (e.g., slaves living in Tenochtitlan >10 yrs.) or non-locals (e.g., war captives, slaves, spoils-of-war sacrificed soon after arriving to the Basin). Our results demonstrate the Templo Mayor priests had broad access to long-term residents and non-locals with origins from Mesoamerican regions subjugated by the Mexica. This study illustrates the Mexica obtained individuals for sacrifice with a diverse range of physical, social, and geographic characteristics for their ritual ceremonies.
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Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2020
This paper presents the first systematic study of Aztec diets using bone collagen stable carbon a... more This paper presents the first systematic study of Aztec diets using bone collagen stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis. The objective was to identify the dietary patterns of an Aztec community living in the Basin of Mexico. The collection analyzed includes adult and subadult skeletons from the residential site of San Cristóbal Ecatepec (in present-day Mexico State) (A.D. 900–1521). The isotopic data were compared with available ethnohistoric and archeological information about Aztec diets. We conclude that Ecatepec residents consumed mostly C4 and CAM plants (as opposed to C3 plants), terrestrial animals, and some lacustrine resources. They shared similar diets and foodways, as indicated by the fact that they belonged to the same socio-economic group and that there were no substantial sex-based differences indicated by the isotopic data. The slightly higher carbon isotope compositions of the men compared with the women could be evidence of pulque consumption by the men—as noted in the ethnohistoric record. The nitrogen isotope compositions of the subadults, however, show some variability related to breastfeeding and weaning practices, with infants weaning between 2 and 4 years of age.
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Given that sampling strategies and protocols in bioarchaeology are rarely discussed in the litera... more Given that sampling strategies and protocols in bioarchaeology are rarely discussed in the literature, this paper is an attempt at reflecting upon the skeletal sampling process (e.g. preparation period, development of strategies and protocols, decision-making process, collaboration with those involved) as well as providing some considerations that may be useful to other junior researchers carrying out their sampling within the realm of bioarchaeology (and also may be applicable to other research fields that engage in sampling specimens from museum collections). I provide the considerations about human bone and teeth as it pertains to stable isotope analysis from the literature and then move to discuss my sampling process experience: the preparation period, the sampling process, and the sampling map I developed as an initial guide in the field. Finally, I discuss the main considerations I found helpful in the field which overall involve: 1) Familiarity with the skeletal collections; 2) Constant communication and participant collaboration with those involved in the process; 3) Establishing a feasible sampling protocol well-founded on research questions and biochemical analysis planned as a guide in the field but flexible and open to changes; 4) Handling administrative and logistical aspects of the process well in advance of the sampling visit, and 5) Continual awareness that while as researchers we value skeletal collections in a scientific manner, these also may have other kind of value to others so we must treat these collections with outmost respect at all times (i.e., when discussing, sampling, analyzing, interpreting, and disseminating our research).
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
This MA thesis focuses on the study of pre-Columbian subsistence and dietary patterns through the... more This MA thesis focuses on the study of pre-Columbian subsistence and dietary patterns through the use of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic analysis of human samples (n = 20) recovered from the Acapetahua, Mazatán, and Río Naranjo zones in the Soconusco region—located in the present-day state of Chiapas, México and the Northeastern coast of Guatemala. The stable isotope results in this study demonstrate the heterogeneity of ancient human diets in the Soconusco region, illustrating the complexity of ancient people’s lifeways from the Late Archaic (3500-1900 cal. B.C.) to the Late Postclassic (A.D. 1250-1530) periods. Further, the presence of C₄ plant (i.e., maize) consumption was minor isotopically compared with the consumption of a variety of locally available wild and cultivated food resources. As a result, there is an absence of a clear subsistence transition towards maize agriculture as the main subsistence practice in the region, based on the human samples analyzed in this study. While the quantification of every food source in the diet, including maize, is more difficult without additional data and other lines of evidence, I suggest that other food products like marine, estuarine, and riverine resources, as well as other wild and cultivated plant foods may have been more important in the every-day diets of Soconusco inhabitants across time (particularly at Mazatán). This appears to have been a common pattern indicative of the wide diversity of food resources found in tropical environments across Mesoamerica. For a copy of this thesis you can access the UBC LIBRARY LINK HERE: https://circle.ubc.ca/handle/2429/44302#!.
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This paper examines cacao’s (Theobroma cacao L.) physical and chemical composition, ecology, dist... more This paper examines cacao’s (Theobroma cacao L.) physical and chemical composition, ecology, distribution and habitat and summarizes the recent archaeological research on cacao, mapping its distribution as shown by various lines of archaeological evidence. Existing hypotheses for cacao’s spread are discussed and illustrated using a GIS mapping of detailed topographic maps of South and Central America. By focusing on the potential paths which cacao could have been transported and grown (at elevations ranging from sea-level to 1000 m) it is possible to eliminate many previously proposed routes, and pinpoint the most likely locations for the cacao’s earliest and subsequent dispersals. The paper also examines the ritual and cultural significance of cacao in Mesoamerica mainly based on the analysis of hieroglyphs and iconography as well as ethnohistorical, ethnographic, and other historical accounts. There is a commonality between the use of cacao in the archaeological and ethnohistorical record and in the iconographic analyses of vessels, temple wall murals, and other artifacts found throughout Mesoamerica. All of these lines of evidence point to the use of cacao for ritual and social purposes and its significance in religious and mythological symbolism. Directions for future work on cacao’s origins and spread are proposed, especially with respect to archaeological sites in Central and South America—regions which currently lack direct evidence for cacao’s historical uses, origins and spread. For a copy of this thesis you can access the UBC LIBRARY LINK HERE: https://circle.ubc.ca/handle/2429/34366#!.
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Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, 2016
This poster introduces my doctoral research project which entails a stable isotope analysis of hu... more This poster introduces my doctoral research project which entails a stable isotope analysis of human sacrificial subjects recovered from the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan and its sister city Tlatelolco (present-day Mexico City) dating to the Late Postclassic period (A.D. 1400 — 1519). The collections include adult and subadult sacrificed individuals from the Templo Mayor and Templo R. This research focuses on expanding our knowledge about dietary and mobility patterns of sacrificial subjects during Aztec times. For the purpose of this poster, I focus particularly on the dietary component of this study by introducing specific research hypotheses and discussing preliminary stable isotopic results in relation to the diets of those who were once offered to the Aztec gods.
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Canadian Association of Physical Anthropology 46th Annual Meeting, 2018
We developed the “Ask a Bioarchaeologist” activity to improve student engagement in a fully onlin... more We developed the “Ask a Bioarchaeologist” activity to improve student engagement in a fully online first-year course: Introduction to Biological Anthropology and Archaeology (Anthropology 1026). Students participated asynchronously in two guest mini-lectures, reviewed related news articles, answered reflection questions, and then submitted follow-up questions to the guest instructors. Student questions were pooled and posted in course website along with responses from the guest instructors. We believe this activity meets online teaching challenges by creating an academic community, by asking students to think deeply about and apply anthropological concepts, and by providing students with timely and rewarding feedback.
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Arch and Anth Podcast, 2020
In this Arch and Anth Podcast episode, Dr. Diana Moreiras (Western University) talks to us about ... more In this Arch and Anth Podcast episode, Dr. Diana Moreiras (Western University) talks to us about her work as a Mesoamerican archaeologist, isotopic chemist and bioarchaeologist.
How did Diana first get into archaeological science and performing research in Mesoamerican studies? What isotopic techniques does she use to study diet and movement of Aztecs in ancient Mexico? Why were human sacrifices a significant part of ritual in Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan and Templo R of Tlatelolco? Who were those sacrificed? What does Diana hope to study in the future?
Check out the interview here: https://archandanth.com/episode-96-interview-with-diana-moreiras/.
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This week we meet with Anthropologist Diana Moreiras using sophisticated new techniques to find o... more This week we meet with Anthropologist Diana Moreiras using sophisticated new techniques to find out about the lives of those religiously sacrificed in the Aztec Empire (25 minutes).
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Raíces, Jun 3, 2020
In memoriam Vicente Camacho y Mario Vázquez Ruvalcaba Esta semana en Raíces recibimos a Diana ... more In memoriam Vicente Camacho y Mario Vázquez Ruvalcaba
Esta semana en Raíces recibimos a Diana Moreiras Reynaga, investigadora de la Universidad de Columbia Británica en Vancouver, Cánada. Oriunda de Guadalajara, Moreiras Reynaga salió muy joven a estudiar arqueología en dicha institución. Su interés siempre han sido la alimentación de los antiguos pueblos. Después de un estudio atinado sobre el consumo de cacao en el antiguo Chiapas, las últimas investigaciones de Moreiras Reynaga se enfocaron sobre restos humanos encontrados en diferentes entierros domésticos en un sitio secundario del Valle de México: Ecatepec. ¿Quienes eran estas personas? ¿Qué consumían? ¿Cómo conseguían sus alimentos? ¿Cuáles padecimientos sufrieron? ¿En qué consiste el estudio de isotopos estables? ¿Cuál información nos proporcionaron? ¿En qué medida este estudio dará una pauta para las poblaciones posclásicas en esta región?
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Raíces UDEM, Sep 10, 2020
Esta semana en Raíces recibimos al Dr. Michael Blake y a la Dra. Diana Moreiras Reynaga, ambos in... more Esta semana en Raíces recibimos al Dr. Michael Blake y a la Dra. Diana Moreiras Reynaga, ambos investigadores y arqueólogos de la Universidad de Columbia Británica en Vancouver para hablar de la domesticación, del cultivo y de los usos del cacao en el continente americano. Solemos creer que el cacao surgió en el sur del actual México y en Centroamérica. Sin embargo, estudios isotópicos recientes rebaten tal concepción de las cosas. ¿Cuáles variedades de theobroma cacao existe en el continente americano? ¿Cuáles han sido recolectada, preparadas y consumidas? ¿Cuáles valores o simbolismos tuvo el cacao en las tradiciones prehispánicas? ¿Cómo se consiguen y estudian los isotopos?
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Quaternary International, 2022
Although conservation practices facilitate the preservation of museum collections, procedures use... more Although conservation practices facilitate the preservation of museum collections, procedures used to stabilize ancient materials can alter their chemical and isotopic compositions, impacting the viability of such specimens for life history investigations. In this study, we applied two common consolidants – polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and acrylic resin (Paraloid B-72™) – followed by two consolidant removal procedures to assess the impacts of these processes on the stable isotope compositions and structural characteristics of a series of subsamples taken from a representative archaeological faunal bone. We examined the collagen (δ13Ccol and δ15Ncol), structural carbonate (δ13Csc and δ18Osc), and phosphate (δ18Op) isotopic compositions of the bone sample before and after consolidation to evaluate consolidant removal procedures. We also measured δ13Csc, δ18Osc, and structural characteristics before and after the pre-treatment commonly used to remove organic matter and secondary carbonate prior to isotopic analyses.
Our results produced five main outcomes. First, an acetone treatment shorter than 48 h was sufficient to remove PVAc and acrylic resin from archaeological bone without altering the original δ13Ccol and δ15Ncol. Second, prolonged exposure (>48 h) to polar solvents during the consolidant removal procedure and collagen extraction modified collagen isotopic compositions, lowering its original δ13Ccol by 0.3–0.4 ‰ and increasing its
original δ15Ncol by up to 0.9 ‰. Third, the consolidant application and removal procedures altered the original δ13Csc and δ18Osc. Fourth, the change in δ18Osc was likely caused by the bleach (2% NaClO at 20 ◦C for 72 h)/acetic acid (0.1 M for 4 h at 20 ◦C) pre-treatment applied prior to isotopic analyses. Fifth, our results confirm and expand on previous studies reporting that δ18Op remains unaltered after consolidant and solvent procedures.
These outcomes provide a framework for obtaining reliable stable isotope compositions from archaeological bones that have been stabilized using consolidants.
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