Migration and maize in the Viru Valley: Understanding life histories through multi-tissue carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and strontium isotope analyses

Objectives Stable isotope analysis can provide crucial insight into the function and development of early state-level societies on the north coast of Peru. Materials and Methods Multi-tissue (bone collagen, tooth enamel, hair, nail, skin, and tendon) stable isotope analyses (carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and strontium) were conducted for 13 individuals from the lower Viru Valley. Results Non-seasonal changes in a predominantly C-4-based terrestrial diet, with minimal inputs of marine foods were identified. One individual (Burial 5), however, had a stable isotope signature unlike any previously found on the north coast of Peru, indicating both a large contribution of C-3-terrestrial resources to their diet and an Sr-87/Sr-86 value suggestive of highland residence during childhood. Discussion This research provides the first strong stable isotope evidence of a highland individual within a coastal burial in northern Peru, new insight into the ritual killing event at Huaca Santa Clara during the late middle horizon and supporting evidence of the importance of C-4 terrestrial resources to the developing Viru polity during the early intermediate period.

Automated summary

Stable isotope analysis sheds light on the dietary structure and living environment of early state-level societies on the north coast of Peru. The study found that the stable isotope signature of one individual differed from previous research, suggesting possible highland residence during childhood.