Briggs, Lisa, Cooper, Jago, Craig, Oliver E orcid.org/0000-0002-4296-8402 et al. (4 more authors) (2023) Molecular evidence for new foodways in the early colonial Caribbean: organic residue analysis at Isla de Mona, Puerto Rico. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences. 70. ISSN 1866-9557
Abstract
Ceramic objects account for over 90 little research has been conducted on molecular evidence for past food production from these same vessels. Forty ceramic sherds from Isla de Mona have been analysed by GC--MS and GC-C-IRMS in order to address questions surrounding foodways in the Greater Antilles prior to and post European arrival. We evaluate evidence for dietary changes to illuminate aspects of cultural exchange between Indigenous populations and the first generations of Spanish colonists. Here, we show that plant residues are found in a variety of pottery forms, with some evidence for non-ruminant and ruminant fats. The dearth of marine biomarkers is curious given the volume of fish bones found in archaeological contexts on Isla de Mona and may offer evidence for spit-roasting, pit-roasting, or the use of a `barbacoa' to cook fish on the island. The ubiquity of plant residues in a variety of pottery forms may relate to the large-scale cultivation and export of cassava (Manihot esculenta) from the island. A Spanish olive jar revealed evidence of wine residues, which may constitute the earliest detection of wine residues in pottery found in the Americas.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Author(s) 2023 |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Arts and Humanities (York) > Archaeology (York) The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Chemistry (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 04 May 2023 12:00 |
Last Modified: | 16 Oct 2024 19:11 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-023-01771-y |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1007/s12520-023-01771-y |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:198904 |
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Filename: s12520_023_01771_y.pdf
Description: Molecular evidence for new foodways in the early colonial Caribbean: organic residue analysis at Isla de Mona, Puerto Rico.
Licence: CC-BY 2.5