A paleopathological analysis of skeletal remains from the Salinar and Gallinazo phases in the Moche Valley (Peru) (original) (raw)
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2017
This thesis investigates the relationship between long-term, macro-scale social change and systemic stress by analyzing osteological data from two occupations at the archaeological site of Tumilaca la Chimba, Peru. The first dates to the terminal Middle Horizon (ca AD 9501250) and was established as the Tiwanaku state underwent collapse. Despite political fragmentation, this occupation is characterized by substantial cultural continuity in Tiwanaku practices. The second occupation dates to the Late Intermediate Period (LIP) (ca AD 1250-1476) and is associated with significant changes in cultural practice, suggesting a process of population replacement. This study compares skeletal data derived from cemeteries associated with each occupation. Paleopathological analysis of 20 individuals from the terminal Middle Horizon cemeteries and 23 individuals from the LIP cemetery reveals significant differences in age and sex and in skeletal pathologies. These results are a valuable addition t...
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2018
This study presents a diachronic analysis of pathological conditions from two samples of human remains at the archaeological site of Tumilaca la Chimba, Peru. The site includes two occupations, one dating to the terminal Middle Horizon or Early Late Intermediate Period (ca 950-1250 CE), as the Tiwanaku state underwent collapse. Despite political fragmentation, this occupation is characterized by substantial cultural continuity in Tiwanaku practices. The second occupation dates to the later Late Intermediate Period (LIP) (ca 1250-1476 CE) and is associated with significant changes in material culture. This study analyzes skeletal data derived from cemeteries associated with each occupation in order to compare proxies of nutritional status, infection, and trauma. Paleopathological analysis of individuals from the terminal Middle Horizon Tumilaca cemeteries (N=20) and LIP Estuquiña cemetery (N=23) reveals significant differences in age and sex distributions; this could be an artifact of looting and differential excavation, or a possible shift in fertility and population demography. There are also differences, though not statistically significant, in the frequencies of pathological conditions including cribra orbitalia, which is higher in the Tumilaca sample, and oral decay, which is higher in the Estuquiña sample. These results tentatively suggest that physiological stressors-particularly those occurring in childhood-did not necessarily abate at this site over time, but rather shifted in their causes. These results underscore the importance of bioarchaeological contributions to theorizing local experiences of larger sociopolitical transitions in the pre-Hispanic Andes.
Homo-journal of Comparative Human Biology, 2001
This study is based on skeletons and mummies belonging to 582 individuals excavated at sites of Pueblo Viejo, Cahuachi, Estaqueria and Atarco in the Nasca valley, South Coast of Peru. Archaeological evidence distinguishes three cultural phases: Nasca (400 BC-550 AD), Wari (600-1100 AD) and Chincha (1100-1412 AD). Since the Chincha human remains were too exiguous (27 individuals), only Nasca and Wari were considered. For the Nasca population, sex ratio was 113 men to 100 women (53% of males); for the Wari population, sex ratio was 117 men to 100 women (54% of males). The palaeodemographic data show that the infant mortality rate was 33‰ for Nasca and 105‰ for Wari. Life expectancy was 38-43 years for Nasca and 31-36 years for Wari. Death percentages in all the age groups increased from Nasca to Wari phase. ANOVA and t-test for paired comparison were applied in order to examine if dental and bone ages were statistically different. Long bones and teeth showed an allometric development, and the age estimated from the tooth formation and eruption was generally higher than the age estimated from the maximum lengths of long bones. The anthropological study of the Nasca valley skeletal populations confirmed the archaeological hypothesis of worse conditions of the Wari population in comparison with the previous Nasca people.
2006
"In this dissertation the author explores what could be learned about the development of social inequality from a small-scale analysis. The people on whom the author focuses inhabited the Moche valley of north coastal of Perú and were one of the earliest New World groups to develop a state-level political organization (Bawden 1996; Billman 1996; Moseley 1992). Prior to this development, Moche valley residents lived in societies that were far less politically centralized and socially differentiated. The author uses bioarchaeological data to investigate changes in the activities of prehistoric, north coastal Peruvians. The author interprets patterns of change in daily activities within the wider archaeological context and in light of other studies of state societies to explore how people, through their daily actions, effected and reflected large-scale economic, social, and political change. To address these issues, the remains of 750 individuals recovered from Cerro Oreja, a large prehistoric urban center in the Moche valley of Perú were examined. Cerro Oreja was continuously occupied from the beginning of irrigation agriculture through the formation of the Southern Moche state (1800 BC–AD 400), and residents buried their dead in the site’s cemeteries throughout this period (Carcelen personal comm 1999). The remains of the individuals who are the subject of this study represent women, men, and children of both high and low status. The author examined each of these individual for dental caries, wear, abscesses, periodontal disease, antemortem tooth loss, and dental trauma. Additionally, the bones and teeth of several individuals were sampled for stable isotopic and dental calculus analyses. These data provide evidence to reconstruct diet and non-dietary tooth use at Cerro Oreja. However, these data are combined with the age-at-death and sex estimations and social status assessments, to trace agricultural intensification, chicha consumption, craft specialization, and coca use in the Moche valley. These findings revealed that although increased agricultural production, chicha consumption, and access to coca were important loci of pre-state social and political change, gender was the central axis along which these changes occurred. By expanding existing gender differences, elites created the social hierarchies that came to characterize the Southern Moche state."
Human skeletal remains from the Pacopampa site in the northern highlands of Peru
Anthropological Science, 2009
The Pacopampa site, located in the northern highlands of Peru, is an archeological site belonging to the Formative Period (2500 BC-0 AD). The purposes of this study are to observe and describe the human skeletal remains from the Pacopampa site, to estimate the sex and age-at-death of each individual, and finally to diagnose morphological traits and skeletal disorders. The materials used here are 498 human skeleton parts. The sample comprises at least 18 individuals: eight subadult skeletons, eight adult skeletons, one skeleton aged 10-39 years, and one of unknown age. The age distribution (six of eight subadults were less than one year) suggests a high proportion of infants in the population. The sexual ratio of three adult males to four adult females indicates a skeletal population with hardly any sexual bias. A paleopathological examination revealed that the percentage of permanent teeth affected by dental caries was 9% (18/192). Two elderly females exhibit periodontal disease in both the maxillae and mandibles. This is the first study to examine the lives and deaths of a Formative Period population from the perspective of bioarcheology.
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2019
This study utilizes multi-isotopic analysis to reconstruct diet and source-water consumption from human remains collected at Carrizales, in the Zaña Valley of northern coastal Peru. Carrizales is a multi-component site that encompasses the remains of 1) Early Intermediate Period (200-800 CE) cemeteries (Conjuntos 126 and 127); 2) Late Sicán / Lambayeque period (ca. 1100-1350 CE) domestic occupations (Conjuntos 125, 128 and 131); and 3) a planned town (reducción) into which indigenous people were resettled under Spanish rule, circa 1572 CE (Conjunto 123). Faunal and botanical assemblages at the site differ significantly between the Late Sicán/Lambayeque and early colonial phases, suggesting a distinct shift in local subsistence regimes following Spanish colonization and resettlement. Human remains were collected from Carrizales for the characterization of dietary isotopes and further examination of the impacts of Spanish colonialism on native foodways. Carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen isotope values were characterized in the enamel carbonate, bone carbonate, and bone collagen of individuals associated with Early Intermediate Period contexts (N=4) and the late 16th century chapel within the site’s reducción (N=21). Over half of the study sample failed to produce viable bone collagen, an issue that is common in bioarchaeological samples from the north coast of Peru. However, among those with viable bone collagen and carbonate, there were minimal differences in δ13C, δ18O, and δ15N values between the two phases. This extends to values in enamel carbonate, which is highly resistant to diagenesis. Therefore, patterns in isotope values do not mirror the significant differences manifest in food remains from Carrizales. We suggest that (1) the diets of Early Intermediate Period individuals and Early Colonial period individuals buried at the site were quite similar, contrasting with the patterns indicated by Late Intermediate Period food remains; and (2) both populations obtained water from similar sources – a pattern that reinforces the characterization of reducción in the Zaña valley as a relatively local phenomenon in which nearby populations were concentrated into planned towns, rather than drawn from distant valleys.
A growth and development study of coastal prehistoric Peruvian populations
2005
This dissertation presents a growth and development study of prehistoric coastal Peruvian populations. Previous research indicates considerable variability between human populations in growth and development events. This research establishes growth and development standards for two prehistoric coastal Peruvian populations. Both dental and long bone standards are presented. Adult stature and sexual dimorphism are also studied as a culmination of growth and development and as indicators of general population health. Results indicate that dental and long bone subadult aging standards, developed from North American Indian samples are not appropriate for prehistoric Andean populations. These results support previous evidence of variability between human populations and suggest that further research is necessary to establish better subadult skeletal and dental age standards for other parts of the world. 3 First
Diet in Peru's pre-Hispanic central coast
The Tablada de Lurín cemetery (200 BC–AD 200; Lima, Peru) is characterised by two mortuary phases. Based on associated grave finds and the lack of habitation sites near the cemetery, it has been hypothesised that both burial populations came from a certain distance of the site (ca. 20 km) and that they relied on land rather than marine resources. We tested these hypotheses, based on material culture, through stable isotope analysis. The aim was to understand the populations' diet and geographic origins. We sampled 47 human individuals and eleven sets of faunal remains from both phases for stable isotope analysis (carbon, nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen) of bone and dental collagen, and apatite. Modern samples of autochthonous food were also tested as a baseline for comparison. The results showed preservation differences between the remains from both phases. Individuals from Phase 1 provided the best isotopic dataset and showed consumption of protein from marine resources and C4 plants. On the other hand, bioapatite carbon and oxygen stable isotope results from both phases highlighted differences in C4 plant consumption and individuals of possible non-local origin. The results underline the need to study further the effect of brewed or cooked beverages on bioapatite oxygen levels. Finally, results from Phase 1 fit with the broader dietary pattern evident in other Andean sites, where coastal populations consumed marine protein and C4 plants, as opposed to highland populations who relied on terrestrial protein sources and C3 plants.