Assessing the Differential Use of Plants among Archaic Age Populations in Cuba

Date/Time: 
Saturday, May 5, 2018 - 11:10
Presentation Type: 
Oral (live)
Author(s): 
Yadira Chinique de Armas - University of Winnipeg
Ulises M. González  Herrera - Cuban Institute of Anthropology
Roberto Rodríguez  Suarez - Cuban Institute of Anthropology
Idalí  Reyes - Cuban Institute of Anthropology
Megan Fylik - University of Winnipeg
Mirjana Roksandic - University of Winnipeg
Key Word(s): 
Caribbean Archaeology
Human-plant Interactions
Stable Isotopes
Starch Analysis
Archaic Age

Starch and isotopic analyses have changed our understanding of plant management among “fisher-gatherer” indigenous groups in Cuba, traditionally considered as homogeneous populations who depended on natural resources, without management of cultigens. In this paper we examine the subsistence strategies and food consumption patterns of the individuals from Guayabo Blanco, Cueva del Perico I, Cueva Calero, Canímar Abajo and Playa del Mango sites by combining stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) in bone and starch analysis of dental calculus. Results suggest that at least two different food consumption patterns coexisted among “fisher-gathers” in Cuba: one consisting of a mixed diet where C3 and C4 plants were present, including cultigens such as Ipomoea batatas, Phaseolus sp. and Zea mays; while other groups had a diet likely characterized by an exclusive consumption of C3 plants. This evidence demonstrated the differential use and management of plants for indigenous populations from western and eastern Cuba since “Archaic” Age times, as an evidence of the diversity of dietary traditions.