Paleodietary analysis of human individuals from the archaeological site of La Rinconada (Ambato Valley, Catamarca)

Abstract

Here, we present the first isotope values (δ13Cco, δ13Cap and δ15N) and results from human bone and teeth of individuals from the La Rinconada site (Ambato Valley, Catamarca). The site’s chronology covers the period from ca. AD 600 to 1.200. At this point, there was an abrupt and sudden end to the settlement. Six individuals were analyzed. The aim of this article is to estimate human palaeodiet. The inference model was generated taking into consideration the isotope values of resources that were probably consumed, including those of local Lama glama. Furthermore, we suggest that the site was located in an ecotonal environment, and therefore, it had access to resources from different phytogeographical domains. Given that three of the samples had evidence of thermal-alteration, the effect of that variable on isotope measurements was also evaluated. We found that both plant and animal components of the diet were part of a C4 photosynthetic pattern. Finally, limited variation was detected in the isotopic values of the assemblage.