Isótopos Estables Y Consumo De Maíz En El Centro Occidente Argentino: Tendencias Temporales Y Espaciales

Abstract

This work explores the chronological and spatial variability of collagen and apatite δ13C and collagen δ15N values for human remains, in order to evaluate the incorporation of corn in the diet in central-western Argentina, the pre-Hispanic Southern limit of American agriculture. The study includes 104 samples of archaeological human remains recovered from sites between 32° and 40° S and with chronologies spanning the last 6,000 years. The research also presents information on the isotopic ecology of the region. The δ13C results show a low correlation with both latitude and time. The individuals who appear to have a significant amount of maize in the diet are from the northernmost sector and date to the last 1,500 years. Despite that tendency, however, there is extensive variability among all individuals, including those from the same time and place. The results weaken the supposed gradual dispersion in space and time of corn, showing instead a high degree of heterogeneity for the importance of maize near the southern limit of its agricultural diffusion.