Species Differentiation of Camelidae at Khonkho Wankane: An Osteometric Study of the First Phalange

GASCO, ALEJANDRA; MARSH, ERIK J.

Early Complexity in the South-Central Andes: Khonkho Wankane and its Hinterland (Archaeology in the Machaca Region of Bolivia, Volume I)

Cotsen Institute of Archaeology, Universidad de California

Lugar: Los Angeles; Año: 2011;

Like at many Andean sites, Camelidae is the most common taxa represented among faunal remains at Khonkho Wankane. It is difficult to distinguish species of this family given the strong osteological similarities of the two domestic and two wild camelids species. However, distinguishing the domestic and wild species can significantly improve our understanding of past hunting, herding, and caravanning practices. The reference collection used here includes llamas from the immediate vicinity of the site and Andean guanacos, much smaller than Patagonian guanacos typically used in osteometric studies. This more local reference collection notably improves the reliability taxonomic identifications. Together with dental identifications, multivariate statistical analyses of osteometric measurements identify both wild and both domestic camelid species at Khonkho Wankane, including an especially large morphotype not represented in the reference collection. The small size of wild camelids in the region suggests these large phalanges are from llamas bred for size or castrated llamas, as castration of mammals results in elongated bones. Ethnographically, larger castrated llamas are often used as caravan animals, an intriguing possibility suggested by the presence of an especially large morphotype. These results indicate that residents hunted vicuña and guanaco, herded llamas and alpacas, and perhaps organized caravans with larger castrated llamas.