Archaeological applications of stable isotope analysis: subsistence and residential mobility in the Chao Valley of Peru Jonathan D. Bethard, MA Department of Anthropology The University of Tennessee

“For in the seemingly little and insignificant things that accumulate to create a lifetime, the essence of our existence is captured.” – James Deetz (1977)

Research Goals 1) Utilize established isotopic methods to investigate diet and residential mobility at Santa Rita B 2) Define previously unreported isotopic ranges for the Chao Valley

Location of Site Santa Rita B N

CA3

Demographics from CA3 EntierroSexAge 1F15 – 18 2M25 – 30 3?10 – 12 4?5 – 9 5?10 –12 8M35 – 40 9 M?12 – 16 10?8 – 10 11?9 – 11 TOTALn = 9 * AMS Dates: cal. AD

Entierro 2Entierro 3 Entierro 9

Stable Isotope Analyses Human bones/teeth reflect the isotopic composition of consumed foods – Collagen and apatite Carbon isotopes: differentiate type of consumed plants Nitrogen isotopes: differentiate terrestrial from marine protein sources Strontium isotopes: reflect geological bedrock and differentiate locals from non-locals

Materials and Methods Samples obtained during 2006/2007 field seasons Collagen: Ambrose (1990) Apatite: Balasse et al. (2002) – Finnigan MAT 252 mass spectrometer interfaced with an Elemental Analyzer and Kiel III Device Sr purified following Pin and Bassin (1992) – Nu Plasma Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer

Chao Valley Strontium Petford and colleagues (1996) – to N Local Range (Santa Rita B): – Local Range (Moche): –

Discussion 1) C/N isotopes are effective for evaluating diet – Maize-based agriculture – Coastal location not a definite indicator of marine consumption 2) Sr isotopes are effective for characterizing mobility – ‘Local’ signature must be established first – Useful for determining if non-locals are present

Future Directions Continue using carbon isotopes to investigate introduction of maize Investigate geography and marine resource exploitation Characterize other north coast Sr local signatures

Acknowledgements Dr. Stanley Ambrose Dr. Kelly Knudson Dr. Lori Baker Justin Glessner, MS UIUC and ISGS laboratory personnel Dr. Dan Weinand Prof. Marty Salter Dr. Ann Kronk National Institute of Culture – (Peru) Profs. Victor Vasquez and Teresa Rosales Dr. Jonathan Kent Dr. Catherine Gaither The William M. Bass Endowment funded this research.