COASTAL CAMELID HERDING OF NORTHERN PERU: INSIGHTS FROM STRONTIUM AND LEAD ISOTOPES FROM HUACA
Channel: European Association of Archaeologists
Date: 2021-03-02

Camelid herding served as an important economic and social practice in the Andes throughout its history. The desert coast presents an interesting and important context for these pastoral activities. The Moche site of Huaca Colorada, dating to AD650 to AD850, is an integral node in the Jequetepeque Valley of northern coastal Peru with evidence of long-term ties to highland Cajamarca communities. Recent isotopic studies undertaking radiogenic strontium (N=106) and lead (N=60) analyses attest to the diverse origins of camelid herds that could have included both llamas (Lama sp.) and alpacas (Vicugna pacos). This paper will discuss this large new dataset to contribute to the debate of camelid herds on the coast and the practice of local versus non-local animal husbandry and foddering strategies. We argue that camelids formed important offerings to large feasting events that brought local and non-local people together to reinforce existing bonds and create new social, economic and political relationships.


Author(s): Alaica, Aleksa (University of Toronto) - Gonzalez La Rosa, Luis Manuel (Lima, Peru) - Knudson, Kelly - Gordon, Gwyneth (Arizona State University)