Pre-Hispanic-to-Colonial Dietary Transitions at Etzatlan, Jalisco, Mexico

Bibliographic Data

ID6034002
AuthorsJudith F Porcasi (University of California, Los Angeles, corresponding author)
Year2012
Volume23
Issue2
Pages251-267
Publication date2012-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAncient Mesoamerica (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0956-5361 • E-ISSN: 1469-1787
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0956536112000181
OpenAlexW1980266073
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited54

Faunal analysis of subsistence remains from four sites in the Etzatlan Basin in western central Mexico presents important contrasts between pre-Hispanic and colonial dietary patterns. Specific changes in animal remains are well correlated with the transition from pre-Hispanic to colonial occupations tracked along a statistically derived timeline in which ceramic evidence for the onset of colonization is found. Allometry is used to calculate faunal biomass, and abundance and diversity indices are used to define these dietary patterns relative to the timeline. There is a decrease in use of large mammals over time and an increased use of smaller mammals, birds, and reptiles/amphibians. In particular, a marked increase in exploitation of the most important native large mammal (for example, deer) is found during early colonial occupation. However, this bounty decreased appreciably during later periods, consistent with widening of dietary breadth by inclusion of less preferred resources

Archaeology · Biology · Colonialism · Geography · Mammal · Subsistence agriculture · Timeline · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology · Wildlife Ecology and Conservation · Ecology

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