Corn consumption in native populations of Mendoza (central-western Argentina) and its relation to environmental conditions

MARTINEZ CARRETERO, EDUARDO ENRIQUE; GARCIA, A.

MULTEQUINA

INCA-Ed. Univ. Nac san Juan

Año: 2019 vol. 28 p. 5 - 20

0327-9375

In this article we analyze data on hydroxyapatite δ13C and δ15N from dated human bones, inorder to evaluate the variability of corn eating, the possible incidence of the Little Ice Age (LIA)environmental changes on the regional production and consumption of this cereal by the nativepopulations of central-western Argentina. We also evaluate whether or not the average curvesare representative of sub-regional situations. Our results show that: a) the regional δ13Cap andδ15N curves are only partially representative for the situations recorded in San Juan and Mendoza. b) When considering the diverse environments of Mendoza, the provincial average curvesand the sub-regional ones show significant differences. c) There are no signs of a drastic decreasein maize consumption during the Inca period. d) The decline in maize consumption appearsin only one sub-region of Mendoza province during ca. 1777-1808 AD and no environmentalincidence was detected.