The Nasca and Their Dear Creatures – Molecular Genetic Analysis of Pre-Columbian Camelid Bones and Textiles

Abstract

In the excavation sites of the Palpa valley most of the animal remains are South American camels. By morphological methods the distinction between the four types, the two wild species, vicuña and guanaco, and the two domesticated species, llama and alpaca, is nearly impossible. This study, as part of the subproject `Palaeogenetics/Human Ecology', was concerned with the molecular genetic species identification and determination of genetic variability of the skeletal remains of camels as well as textile material, and should contribute to clarify the strategy of subsistence as well as possible trade relations with highland populations of the (pre-) historic populations of the Nasca--Palpa region.