Migration and maize in the Virú Valley: Understanding life histories through multi-tissue carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and strontium isotope analyses

Abstract

Objectives: Stable isotope analysis can provide crucial insight into the function and development of early state-level societies on the north coast of Peru. Materials and Methods: Multi-tissue (bone collagen, tooth enamel, hair, nail, skin, and tendon) stable isotope analyses (carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and strontium) were conducted for 13 individuals from the lower Virú Valley. Results: Non-seasonal changes in a predominantly C4-based terrestrial diet, with minimal inputs of marine foods were identified. One individual (Burial 5), however, had a stable isotope signature unlike any previously found on the north coast of Peru, indicating both a large contribution of C3-terrestrial resources to their diet and an 87Sr/86Sr value suggestive of highland residence during childhood. Discussion: This research provides the first strong stable isotope evidence of a highland individual within a coastal burial in northern Peru, new insight into the ritual killing event at Huaca Santa Clara during the late middle horizon and supporting evidence of the importance of C4 terrestrial resources to the developing Virú polity during the early intermediate period.