DOAJ Open Access 2022

Contextual, Taphonomic, and Paleoecological Insights from Anurans on Tiwanaku Sites in Southern Peru

Juliana Rubinatto Serrano Maria Camila Vallejo-Pareja Susan D. deFrance Sarah I. Baitzel Paul S. Goldstein

Abstrak

We examine the processes that resulted in the deposition of bones of at least three anuran genera on four archaeological sites associated with the Tiwanaku culture occupied between 700–1100 CE in the Moquegua Valley of far southern Peru. We review archaeological data and ethnographic accounts of Andean peoples using frogs and toads for food and in rain-quest rituals. Anuran bones are common in prehispanic cemeteries, but far less common in habitational and ceremonial sites. The quantity of anuran remains in certain cemeteries is anomalous in comparison to other archaeological sites in the valley and to Tiwanaku sites in other geographic settings. We conclude that anurans are most common where abandoned below-ground rock-covered tombs are likely to have been reused by nesting owls, and propose that most anuran remains in archaeological contexts in Moquegua are the result of predation. We consider environmental, cultural and taphonomic explanations and posit that the abundance of anuran remains relates to the 14th-century Miraflores ENSO event. This event generated increased rainfall in the desert, creating conditions favorable for frogs and toads, and predation by owls. We also advocate for the use of fine-screening to recover small-sized animal remains, such as anurans, that can be used to understand taphonomic processes and paleoenvironmental conditions.

Penulis (5)

J

Juliana Rubinatto Serrano

M

Maria Camila Vallejo-Pareja

S

Susan D. deFrance

S

Sarah I. Baitzel

P

Paul S. Goldstein

Format Sitasi

Serrano, J.R., Vallejo-Pareja, M.C., deFrance, S.D., Baitzel, S.I., Goldstein, P.S. (2022). Contextual, Taphonomic, and Paleoecological Insights from Anurans on Tiwanaku Sites in Southern Peru. https://doi.org/10.3390/quat5010016

Akses Cepat

PDF tidak tersedia langsung

Cek di sumber asli →
Lihat di Sumber doi.org/10.3390/quat5010016
Informasi Jurnal
Tahun Terbit
2022
Sumber Database
DOAJ
DOI
10.3390/quat5010016
Akses
Open Access ✓