article

Maize and the origin of Highland Chavín civilization: an isotopic perspective

American anthropologist92 (1) • Published In 1990 • Pages: 85-95

By: Burger, Richard L., Van der Merwe, Nikolaas J..

Abstract
Burger and van der Merwe use stable carbon isotope analysis of 5 individuals from Chavín de Huántar and 2 individuals from Huaricoto to determine the relative amount of maize consumption in the diet. Surprizingly, the consumption of maize did not significantly increase between the Urabarriu Phase and the Janabarriu Phase at Chavín de Huántar nor between the Preceramic and the Early Horizon at Huaricoto. The authors speculate the importance of maize cultivation would have been to produce CHICHA for consumption during religious rituals.
Subjects
Laboratory analysis of materials other than dating methods in archaeology
Flora
Tillage
Cereal agriculture
Diet
tradition
Chavín
HRAF PubDate
2004
Region
South America
Sub Region
Central Andes
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Archaeologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Sarah Berry ; 2003
Field Date
no date
Coverage Date
late Initial Period-Early Horizon; 2850 BP-2200 BP (850 B.C.-200 B.C)
Coverage Place
central highlands; Peru
Notes
Richard L. Burger, Nikolaas J. van der Merwe
Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-95)
LCCN
1715424
LCSH
Chavín culture