Zooarchaeological and isotopic findings from White Marl, Jamaica: insights on indigenous human-animal interactions and evidence for the management of Jamaican hutias

Abstract

This paper offers a zooarchaeological analysis of a selection of units excavated in the summer of 2018 at the precolonial site of White Marl, Jamaica (AD 900-1500). This collaborative project by The University of West Indies (UWI) Mona and Leiden University, under the supervision of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT), recovered an extensive artifact and faunal assemblage along with a series of human burials. Our zooarchaeological analysis shows evidence of an increasing reliance over time on terrestrial animals, in particular the Jamaican hutia (Geocapromys brownii), a species theorized to have been managed by Indigenous peoples due to its ubiquity at precolonial sites. To assess whether the management of this species was occurring, we conducted morphometric analysis on 118 hutia mandibles, allowing us to estimate body mass and mortality ages. Our findings suggest that prime age individuals were being killed, with no examples of juveniles and few fully mature hutias within the assemblage. Some examples of bone pathologies indicate that these hutias were able to survive with hampered mobility. Stable isotope analysis of hutia bone collagen and tooth enamel was conducted which suggests that most hutias had elevated carbon values beyond what should be expected of their natural diets. This study also provides results from time series isotope sampling of one hutia incisor which may suggest changing patterns in consumption relating to seasonality. Our evidence of pathologies, isotopic evidence and mortality profile all indicate there was likely some form of management of hutias by the people of White Marl.