FIRST EVIDENCES OF COCA LEAF CHEWING FROM THE PUNA OF ARGENTINA. A BIOARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY AT ANTOFAGASTA DE LA SIERRA, CA. 1300 BP

GONZÁLEZ, LUCÍA ; BABOT, MARÍA DEL PILAR; OLMOS, ADRIANA VALERIA

Buenos Aires

Simposio; PAMinSA VI VI Paleopathology Association Meeting in South America; 2015

aleopathology Association Meeting in South America

FIRST EVIDENCES OF COCA LEAF CHEWING FROM THE PUNA OF ARGENTINA. A BIOARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY AT ANTOFAGASTA DE LA SIERRA, CA. 1300 BP¹Lucia G. Gonzalez Baroni, ¹²María del Pilar Babot y ¹A. Valeria OlmosThe masticatory apparatus of individuals buried at Funerary Structure 4 in Punta de la Peña 9 site (Antofagasta de la Sierra, Puna of Argentina) (Gonzalez Baroni 2013, 2014), are analyzed. Macro- and microscopic analysis are combined in order to establish the cultural practice of coca leaf chewing (?coqueo?). Macroscopic analysis was conducted to indentify dental pathologies that have been related to chewing coca, following the guidelines posted in the specialty literature: caries, periodontal disease, antemortem posterior tooth loss, dental wear and distribution pattern, laterality and amount of tartar in the dental arch. Microscopic analysis was done to recognize traces of Erythroxylum sp. (?coca?) and of plant or mineral additives in the dental tartar, as well as residual matter of plant or animal origin from other intakes (medicine/food) and from extra masticatory dental uses (craft making).In The Andes, the establishment of coca leaf chewing from the study of bioarchaeological matter, most frequently implies the recording of a series of macroscopic indicators of bucal pathologies ?see below these lines- (Langsjoen 1996; Indriati & Buikstra 2001; Hillson 2003; Godoy Allende 2005; Murphy & Boza 2012; Mickleburgh 2012). Less frequently, it is achieved by identifying microscopic residual contents trapped in dental tartar (Cagnon et al. 2013; Gonzalez Baroni & Babot). In this paper we combine both lines of evidence.The dental wear, periodontal disease and antemortem posterior tooth loss (molars) show patterns suitable with coca leaf chewing. This practice is consistent with the location of main deposits of dental tartar in individuals analysed, in which microfossils similar to those in Erythroxylum sp. leaf , were found (Cortella et al. 2001; Korstanje & Babot 2007). A birefringent micro granulate material (probably, from carbonate or ashed plant material origin) similar to current llipta (Babot 2003), was recorded (Tables 1 and 2).Current population studies indicate that frequent coca chewers have less probabilities of develop caries than not chewers (Coronel 1988; Ramos Lavado 2008), because of the acullico antibacterial efects (Borrovic 2006; Minaya Flores 2008). On the contrary, other bioarchaeological works link dental wear, caries and antemortem tooth loss with coca chewing (Indriatti & Buikstra 2001; Gagnon et al. 2013).The individual 4 (2nd right molar) shows coca indicators and a grade 7 dental wear. Though caries are not observed on the teeth, carious lesions occur in adjacent tooth. The left maxillary of individual 3 exhibits no caries in the proper area of acullico location (2nd molar with microfossil indicators of coca), but a grade 2 (canine) and grade 3 (molars and premolars) dental wear. Caries are located in the right side of mandible, probably due to a sugar rich food intake (tubers, roots, cereals and pseudocereals identified in dental tartar) and to plant medicine (similar to quemadillo of chuquican's root).Dark spots and tartar are located in the buccal aspect of tooth. So, the distribution of caries results both, from food, hygiene, and probably chewing coca practices. The dental wear has a main incidence on posterior molars in mandibles, which show a hole of their occlusal aspect, whereas incisors and superior molars show a plane wear. This pattern would be related to a high level of ashes, volcanic glass and mineral particles introduced in food by processing and abrasive plant material (basketry and other extra masticatory uses of tooth).Macro- and microscopic results obtained are suitable with chewing coca leaf and constitute the first direct evidence of this social practice in North Argentina?s ancient agropastoral people. Remains of acullicosfrom a residential place near the funerary structure 4 analized here, and a chuspa from a the ajuar of a second burial in Punta de la Peña 9 site, are additional evidences of coca use ca. 1460 years BP.