In the Greater Antilles, certain animal taxa that have long been theorized to have been managed by indigenous peoples prior to AD1492, the main candidates being a group of endemic caviomorph... Show moreIn the Greater Antilles, certain animal taxa that have long been theorized to have been managed by indigenous peoples prior to AD1492, the main candidates being a group of endemic caviomorph rodents known as hutias (Capromyinae). This isotopic study investigates the paleodiets of several species of endemic rodents from three late precolonial sites in the northern Dominican Republic: El Flaco (cal. ad 990–1452), El Carril (cal. ad 1030–1262), and La Entrada (cal. ad 840–900) to assess whether human influence over animal diets can be determined. We examined bone collagen carbon (δ13Cco) and nitrogen (δ15N) and tooth enamel carbon (δ13Cen) isotope values of three species of hutias, Isolobodon portoricensis, Isolobodon montanus, and Plagiodontia aedium, alongside edible rat (Brotomys sp.), and domestic guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). To estimate dietary source contributions, we employed a Bayesian dietary mixing model (FRUITS v.3.0) and ran three different permutations to assess the relative contributions of C3 or C4/CAM plants. The addition of an extra 79 wild C3 and 40 wild C4/CAM plant species' isotope values from published sources to an established isotopic foodweb for the Caribbean region enabled us to discriminate between wild and domestic C3 and C4/CAM plant food sources in two of these models. Our results provide evidence of the significant consumption of domestic C4/CAM plants by some animals. This likely represents maize (Zea mays) consumption, which is known to have been ubiquitously cultivated by indigenous peoples in the region. This is particularly the case for I. portoricensis, as FRUITS modeling suggests that a few individuals consumed C4/CAM plants well beyond their expected natural diets as determined from feeding studies of extant hutia species. This may indicate human influence over endemic rodent diets due to niche construction activities such as horticultural practices and may reflect either opportunistic feeding on human produce or the purposeful supplementation of hutia diets by humans. Show less
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... Show moreThis 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. Show less
