Evidence of prehistoric diet from northern Chile: Coprolites, gut contents and flotation samples from the Tulán quebrada

Abstract

Abstract The arid climate in the Tulán quebrada, situated on the eastern shore line of the Salar de Atacama, northern Chile has resulted in the exceptional preservation of a wide range of ancient organic debris. This paper reports on the analysis of a number of human coprolites, and flotation samples from two habitation sites dated to approximately 3000 BP and two samples of human gut contents from well‐preserved bodies from a nearby cemetery. The results have provided a good insight into prehistoric human subsistence in the area and shown that in addition to a strong emphasis on the exploitation of the Andean camelids other wild resources made up a substantial proportion of the diet, at least during certain months of the year. Of these, the seeds of Opuntia cactus and the rhizomes of Schoenoplectus americanus (a species of rush) were of considerable importance. These two species are discussed in some detail and the complimentary nature of the different classes of remains have allowed speculation on the processing and husbandry techniques used.