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International audience; This article reconstructs the final diet of sacrificed domestic camelids from Huanchaquito-Las Llamas to understand whether feeding was part of the ritual practice. The site is situated on the northern coast of Peru and is dated to the fifteenth century AD (Late Intermediate period; LIP). It was used by the Chimús to kill and bury a large number of camelids, mostly juveniles. We reconstructed the final meal of 11 of the sacrificed individuals by analyzing starch grains derived from the associated gut contents and feces. The starch grains were well preserved and allowed for the determination of five plant taxa. The comparison with previously published and new stable isotope analyses, which provide insights into long-term diet, indicates that the Chimús managed their herds by providing maize as fodder and allowing them to graze on natural pasture; yet they reserved special treatment for sacrificial animals, probably bringing them together a few hours or days before the sacrificial act. We show for the first time the consumption of unusual food products, which included manioc, chili peppers, and beans, as well as cooked foods. Our study provides unique information on Chimú camelid ritual and herding practices.; El presente artículo aborda la reconstrucción de la dieta ingerida por camélidos domesticados antes de ser sacrificados y enterrados en el sitio arqueológico Huanchaquito-Las Llamas, situado en la costa norte de Perú y data del siglo XV de nuestra era (periodo Intermedio Tardío). Este sitio fue utilizado por los Chimús para matar y enterrar una gran cantidad de camélidos, en su mayoría juveniles. La identificación de la dieta ingerida por 11 de los camélidos antes de ser sacrificados, se realizó a través del estudio de los granos de almidón obtenidos del contenido intestinal y heces asociadas. El buen estado de conservación de los granos de almidón permitió la determinación de cinco taxones de plantas. La comparación con los análisis de isótopos estables publicados anteriormente, así como los nuevos proporcionaron información respecto a la dieta de los camélidos a largo plazo, determinando que los Chimús alimentaron sus rebaños con maíz como forraje y los dejaron pastar en espacios naturales. Además de recibir un tratamiento especial, es probable que estos camélidos hayan sido congregados unas pocas horas o días antes de ser sacrificados. Este estudio ha identificado por primera vez el consumo de alimentos inusuales ingeridos por camélidos, tales como mandioca, chiles y frijoles, así como alimentos cocinados. Nuestro estudio proporciona información inédita respecto al ritual de camélidos Chimú y las prácticas de pastoreo.

Cet article présente une première synthèse des recherches menées en paléogéographie et géoarchéologie dans le Désert de Sechura à l’extrême nord du Pérou. L’objectif est de souligner les apports d’une approche à la fois interdisciplinaire et pluri-échelle pour comprendre au mieux les interactions entre les sociétés préhispaniques et les environnements passés. Des résultats déjà publiés sont mis en perspective avec d’autres inédits et un premier bilan réflexif sur la démarche menée depuis 2012 est proposé. L’échelle (micro)locale est privilégiée afin d’aborder finement par une approche intra-site et hors-site les conditions de l’accès aux ressources naturelles ainsi que leur utilisation par les populations anciennes. Les données obtenues sur les dynamiques anthropiques et environnementales peuvent ainsi être croisées pour définir des interrelations spécifiques sur le temps long des deux derniers millénaires. La variété des systèmes environnementaux étudiés et les grandes dimensions de certains objets géomorphologiques nécessitent de s’éloigner des sites archéologiques pour mieux comprendre le fonctionnement global de ces unités littorales et valider les modèles et scenarii définis à plus grande échelle. L’échelle infra-régionale est ainsi mobilisée dans l’étude de la dépression de Las Salinas en proposant une histoire du littoral plus complète. Enfin, la prise en compte de plusieurs sites archéologiques dans leur diversité fonctionnelle, chronologiques et géographiques permet d’esquisser une première réflexion à l’échelle régionale des dynamiques socio-environnementales dans le désert de Désert de Sechura depuis 2000 ans. This paper proposes a first overview of the geoarchaeological researches led on the northern coast of Peru in the Sechura Desert. The aim here is to underline the contributions of a combined interdisciplinary and multi-scale approach in order to understand better the interactions between the pre-Hispanic societies and their environments. We put in perspective already published results with new results and we propose a first reflexion on our approach developed since 2012. The (micro) local scale is chosen at first to study finely through an intra-site and extra-site approach the conditions of access to natural resources as well as their use by the populations. We may cross data obtained on human and environmental dynamics to define specific interactions on the last two millennia. The variety of studied environmental systems and the large dimensions of some of them requires to work far from the archaeological sites to understand better the global functioning of these coastal units and to confirm the models and scenarios determined at local scale. We use the infra-regional scale in the study of the Las Salinas to propose a more complete history of the shore, integrating new results from the central part of the depression. Then, taking into account several archaeological sites in their functional, chronological and geographical diversity, a first reflexion at a regional scale about the human and environmental dynamics in the Sechura Desert since 2000 years is proposed.

The proteomic analysis of hairs, yarns or textiles has emerged as a powerful method to determine species of origin, mainly used in archaeozoological research and fraud control. Differentiation between the South American camelid (SAC) species (the wild guanaco and vicuna and their respective domesticates the llama and alpaca) is particularly challenging due to poor database information and significant hybridization between species. In this study, we analysed 41 modern and 4 archaeological samples from the four SACs species. Despite strong similarities with Old World Camelidae, we identified 7 peptides specific to SACs assigned to keratin K86 and the keratin-associated proteins KAP13-1 and KAP11-1. Untargeted multivariate analysis of the LC-MS data permitted to distinguish SAC species and propose discriminant features. MS/MS-based molecular networking combined with database-assisted de novo sequencing permitted to identify 5 new taxonomic peptides assigned to K33a, K81 and/or K83 keratins and KAP19-1. These peptides differentiate the two wild species, guanaco and vicuna. These results show the value of combining database search and untargeted metabolomic approaches for paleoproteomics, and reveal for the first time the potential of molecular networks to highlight deamidation related to diagenesis and cluster highly similar peptides related to interchain homologies or intra- or inter-specific polymorphism. SIGNIFICANCE: This study used an innovative approach combining multivariate analysis of LC-MS data together with molecular networking and database-assisted de novo sequencing to identify taxonomic peptides in palaeoproteomics. It constitutes the first attempt to differentiate between hair fibres from the four South American camelids (SACs) based on proteomic analysis of modern and archaeological samples. It provides different proteomic signatures for each of the four SAC species and proposes new SAC taxonomic peptides of interest in archaeozoology and fraud control. SACs have been extensively exploited since human colonization of South America but have not been studied to the extent of their economic, cultural and heritage importance. Applied to the analysis of ancient Andean textiles, our results should permit a better understanding of cultural and pastoral practices in South America. The wild SACs are endangered by poaching and black-market sale of their fibre. For the first time, our results provide discriminant features for the determination of species of origin of contraband fibre.

International audience; Recent archaeological excavations carried out at the site of Bayovar-01 (occupied from the 5th to 8th centuries AD) in the Sechura Desert provide new data on the activities and adaptations of the desert’s ancient inhabitants. The presence of two small structures, a large activity area containing a significant amount of fish remains and traces of large hearths, indicate that Bayovar-01 was an opportunistic settlement, benefitting from favourable environmental conditions and serving as a specialised site for fishing and the preparation of fish. The analysis of charcoal remains from features corresponding to large hearth remains sheds light on practices of firewood gathering and usage. Taxonomic and morphological analyses reveal strong preferences for certain taxa, possible gathering strategies combining dead wood collection and tree felling, the usage of several different tree parts, and consistent combustion conditions across the processing features. Despite selection biases, taxa composition suggests the existence of different environmental conditions in the desert in the past, related to the presence of a palaeo-lagoon. Anthracological analysis thus has a potential that exceeds mere taxonomic identification of firewood, revealing gathering and usage practices, as well as insights into taxa availability that have implications for ecological and environmental variations.

International audience; Palaeoparasitological investigation was conducted on a first set of samples from 13 sacrificed domestic camelids recovered from the pre-Hispanic Chimú culture site of Huanchaquito-Las Llamas, Peru. The aim was to establish the animals’ gastrointestinal parasite diversity and enlighten on their health status at the time of their death. To this end, 20 samples of coprolites and intestinal contents were analysed to check for the presence of parasite markers, i.e. preserved eggs and oocysts. Microscopic examinations revealed the presence of five taxa of helminths and protozoans in a majority of the tested animals (61%). Our analysis revealed the presence in some animals of protozoan oocysts belonging to the species Eimeria macusaniensis (phylum Apicomplexa). Our study is the first report of the possible presence of a parasite egg attributed to the order Plagiorchiida (family Fasciolidae) in ancient camelids. This preliminary study shows that there is interesting potential for conducting palaeoparasitological analysis at the site and that such analysis is promising for answering questions about the health status of the Huanchaquito-Las Llamas camelids.

International audience

International audience; The discovery of the sacrificial remains of 140 children and 206 camelids sacrificed at the site of Huanchaquito-Las Llamas, on the northern coast of Peru, has provided new data on mass sacrifice practices during the Chimú period. The exceptional state of preservation of the camelids, including the presence of coats and hides, opens new research perspectives on the utilisation of animals in ritual contexts. This article will focus on the results of the zooarchaeological analysis, particularly of mortality profiles and coat colour, to address the criteria used to select the sacrificial victims. Young individuals were exclusively selected, and while there is a majority of brown coats, three colours that are present in modern herds are absent at Huanchaquito. This reveals the preferential choice made by the Chimú officiants for this sacrifice. A spatial analysis did not reveal preferences in the organisation of the deposits. The killing of the youngest cohort of the livestock probably had an impact on the whole livestock. This suggests the existence of large herds that were controlled by the Chimú empire. Our results provide additional insights into the management of camelid herds and show the complexity of pastoralism on the pacific coast during pre-Hispanic times.

Pastoralism, understood here as an economy based on the breeding and herding of domestic ungulate livestock, is an essential component of human–animal relations in the Andean zone. Nowadays, Andean...

International audience; Here we report the results of excavation and interdisciplinary study of the largest child and camelid sacrifice known from the New World. Stratigraphy, associated artifacts, and radiocarbon dating indicate that it was a single mass killing of more than 140 children and over 200 camelids directed by the Chimú state, c. AD 1450. Preliminary DNA analysis indicates that both boys and girls were chosen for sacrifice. Variability in forms of cranial modification (head shaping) and stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen suggest that the children were a heterogeneous sample drawn from multiple regions and ethnic groups throughout the Chimú state. The Huanchaquito-Las Llamas mass sacrifice opens a new window on a previously unknown sacrificial ritual from fifteenth century northern coastal Peru. While the motivation for such a massive sacrifice is a subject for further research, there is archaeological evidence that it was associated with a climatic event (heavy rainfall and flooding) that could have impacted the economic, political and ideological stability of one of the most powerful states in the New World during the fifteenth century A.D.

International audience; Pastoralism and camelid management have been essential to all aspects of pre-Hispanic Andean societies. Here, we present zooarchaeological and isotopic data on domestic camelid remains from Huaca Cao Viejo (El Brujo archaeological complex) on the northern coast of Peru, and dated to the Lambayeque/Sicán period—to characterise their biological age, diet, life history, possible geographic origin and ritual use. Domestic camelids, representing a wide range of biological ages and a high rate of polydactyly, were found as burial offerings in direct association with human funerary bundles (fardos). Direct AMS dates indicated that camelids were buried over a short period of time (AD 1022–1176) confirming the Lambayeque presence in the Chicama Valley during the first half of the Late Intermediate Period. Stable isotopic analyses were carried out on both bone collagen and hair keratin, including incremental analysis. A considerable variability in δ13C values at both the intra-individual and the intra-group level and a large contribution of C4 resources to diet are shown. This clearly supports local management and camelids originating from various herds. Zooarchaeological and isotopic evidences suggest diversity in herding practices and suggest the importance of the herds in fulfilling the transportation demands for trade in goods.

International audience; The site of Huanchaquito-Las Llamas, situated in the Moche Valley, Peru, dated to the Late Intermediate Period (AD 1100-1470), represents a single event mass killing of children and domestic camelids of the Chimu society. Reconstruction of the life histories of 82 camelid individuals based on stable isotope analysis of bone collagen indicates that they originated from the lowlands. Isotopic inter-individual variability indicates diversity in dietary sources, consisting of wild plants and cultigens, grown in water-limited and non-water-limited conditions, as well as a large proportion of C4 plants, suggesting that the animals originated from various herds that were differently managed. In contrast, uniformity in terms of restricted coat colour and young age could suggest that the animals derived from specialised herds. It is possible that the requirement in a short period of time for a massive number of animals meeting certain criteria exceeded the capacity of these herds. This study presents the largest isotopic dataset measured at a single pre-Hispanic site so far and the first to record herding practices for the Chimú society. Comparison with previous isotopic datasets shows differences between ritual and non-ritual groups, as well as diversity in pastoralism practises through time in the Central Andes.

International audience; La domestication des camélidés, lamas et alpagas, s’est réalisée entre 6000 et 5500 B .P . dans les Andes centrales. Ces animaux ont joué un rôle fondamental dans le développement des sociétés préhispaniques. Chez les Mochica (100-800 apr . J .-C .), culture côtière du nord du Pérou, l'alimentation carnée était principalement composée de camélidés et de cochons d’Inde mais aussi de cervidés, de poissons et de malacofaune. Cependant, ces composantes sauvages ne sont pas utilisées dans les rites funéraires, notamment ceux portant sur l’alimentation symbolique du mort. Les témoignages ethnohistoriques et ethnographiques plus récents confirment la continuité de ces pratiques rituelles . Le lama est resté, jusqu’à nos jours, l’unique animal susceptible d’être consommé lors d’évènements extraordinaires, comme peuvent l’être les repas funéraires ou les cérémonies propitiatoires. C’est notamment le cas pendant le Carnaval, où le cœur et les poumons du lama sacrifié sont offerts, brûlés et symboliquement consommés par les Apu (les esprits de la montagne), la Pachamama (la Terre-Mère) et le Tio (divinité tutélaire de la mine). Nous tenterons de comprendre en quoi l’absence des animaux sauvages de ces rites correspondà des traditions culturelles anciennes, réunissant et opposant le monde terrestre et celui des divinités, le monde domestique et sauvage, cet ensemble conceptuelle garantissant l’ordre et la continuité de la société. (source éditeur)

La côte occidentale du désert de Sechura, par son contexte géographique et archéologique spécifique, permet une étude géoarchéologique fondée sur le croisement de données issues à la fois de fouilles archéologiques et de sondages géomorphologiques. En effet, la dépression Las Salinas, aujourd’hui aride et en eau uniquement lors des épisodes El Niño majeurs, possède un fort potentiel en termes de reconstitutions socio-environnementales. Les interrelations se révèlent fortes entre les communautés pré-hispaniques de la seconde moitié du 1er millénaire apr. J.C. pratiquant une importante activité de pêche et de préparation des poissons, et les milieux et écosystèmes associés à l’existence d’une vaste paléo-lagune à cette période. L’étude géoarchéologique permet de mieux saisir les liens entre les milieux naturels et ces populations qui en sont fortement dépendantes pour leurs activités, mais à même de s’adapter à des changements environnementaux importants, variabilité confirmée par les données paléogéographiques obtenues pour les 2000 dernières années. En effet, il s’avère que l’occupation du site de Bayovar-01 est contemporaine de l’existence d’un vaste système lagunaire entretenu par des conditions paléoclimatiques plus humides (auquel quelques épisodes El Niño paroxysmiques participent) et en place depuis plusieurs siècles en lien avec la construction du cordon littoral principal. Le tournant du viiie siècle apr. J.-C. marque une aridification du climat, la fermeture de la lagune et son évaporation concomitante et l’abandon du site. The western coast of the Sechura Desert, with its specific geographical and archaeological settings, allows a geoarchaeological study based on the crossing of excavations and geormorphological pit data. Indeed, the Las Salinas depression, which is today arid and flooded only during the major El Niño events, has a strong potential in term of socio-environmental reconstructions. The interrelations prove to be strong between pre-hispanic communities of the second half of the 1st millenium AD which practicing an important fishing and fish preparation, and the environments and ecosystems belonged to a vast palaeo-lagoon. The geoarchaeological study allows to better understand the links between the natural environments and these populations strongly dependant of it because of their activities, but also able to adapt to important environmental changes. This variability is confirmed by palaeogeographical data for the two last millennia. Indeed, the occupation of Bayovar-01 site is contemporary to a vast lagoon system feeds by wetter palaeoclimatic conditions (several El Niño events participate to these) and set since several centuries in relation to the main shore bar building. The 8th century AD turning point shows an aridification of the climate, the closing of the lagoon and its concomitant evaporation and the end of the occupation.

International audience; "Camelids are commonly found in coastal Peruvian archaeological sites dated to the Prehispanic period but are nowadays missing on the coast. Because of their modern geographical distribution it has been suggested that these animals were brought to the coast through exchanges with the sierra. The present work represents uses the sequential analysis of oxygen stable isotopes to reconstruct the geographical origin of Andean camelids. Serial isotopic analysis of dental enamel was performed on archaeological specimens excavated from the Uhle Platform at the site of Huacas de Moche, which is dated to the Mochica period (100-800 A.D.). These measurements are compared to those from a modern alpaca. The findings show that archaeological camelids were raised on the coast during their first years of life. This preliminary study highlights the potential of the serial isotopic approach despite its limitations. The study suggests alternative animal management practices during the Mochica period."(source éditeur); "Comunes en los sitios arqueológicos costeños peruanos en la época prehispánica, los camélidos se encuentran hoy en día ausentes de este medio ambiente. Por lo tanto, se sugirió durante mucho tiempo que estos animales llegaban a la costa a través de intercambios con la sierra. Este trabajo representa un primer intento en la utilización del oxígeno en los análisis isotópicos secuenciales para reconstruir el origen geográfico de los camélidos en la zona andina. El análisis isotópico del esmalte dentario se utilizó sobre especímenes arqueológicos fechados de la cultura Mochica (100-800 d. C.) provenientes de la Plataforma Uhle en el sitio de Huacas de Moche y fueron comparados con una alpaca contemporánea. Los resultados muestran que los camélidos arqueológicos fueron criados en la costa durante los primeros años de su vida. Este estudio preliminar demuestra todo el interés del método utilizado, a pesar de ciertas limitaciones, y sugiere también otro modo de gestión de los rebaños de camélidos durante el periodo mochica." (source éditeur); "Fréquents dans les sites archéologiques côtiers péruviens à l’époque préhispanique, les camélidés sont aujourd’hui absents de ce milieu. Par conséquent, il a été suggéré que ces animaux parvenaient sur la côte au travers d’échanges avec la sierra. Ce travail constitue la première tentative d’utilisation des analyses séquentielles des teneurs isotopiques en oxygène pour reconstruire l’origine géographique des camélidés de la zone andine. L’analyse isotopique sérié a été appliquée à des spécimens archéologiques datés de la culture Mochica (100-800 A.D.) issus de la Plate-forme Uhle sur le site des Huacas de Moche et ont été comparés à un alpaga contemporain. Les résultats montrent que les camélidés archéologiques ont été élevés sur la côte pendant les premières années de leur vie. Cette étude préliminaire démontre l’intérêt de la méthode utilisée, malgré certaines limites. Elle suggère également un autre mode de gestion des troupeaux de camélidés à l’époque mochica." (source éditeur)

International audience; Fourteen animal species have been identified in Mochica tombs (100-800 A.D.). Among them the discovery of amphisbaenids, a group of reptilesknown in South America as “culebras de dos cabezas” (two-headed snakes), stands as a new fact. Rests of Amphisbaena sp., in particular A. occidentalis, the only species actually present in this area, were found in five tombs of the Uhle’s Platform at Huacas de Moche site. This constitutes the first occurrence of these reptiles in Precolumbian archaeological sites from the western slope of the Andean Cordillera. The amphisbaenids were discovered in jars sitting by the side of the dead, indicating that they were intentional deposits and not intrusive vestiges. Amphisbaenids offerings are also known in North-West Argentina, in the Ciénaga culture (2000-1400 BP), and during the periods of Regional Development, Inca and Hispano-Natives (800-250 BP). This kind of offerings thus does not constitute an isolated cultural phenomenon, but should clearly be regarded within a wider temporal and space context. The Mochica iconographic register brings additional details and seems to indicate that these animals could have a link with death and sacrifice, but also with the Milky Way. The discovery of these taxa brings new data for nderstanding their ritual role and symbolic function in Mochica culture tombs.; Catorce especies animales fueron identificadas en las tumbas mochicas (100-800 d.C.). Entre ellos, el descubrimiento de anfisbenios, un grupo de reptiles conocidos en América del Sur como «serpientes o culebras de dos cabezas», es un hallazgo nuevo. Restos de Amphisbaena sp., en particular A. occidentalis, la única especie actualmente presente en esta área, fueron encontrados en cinco tumbas de la Plataforma Uhle en el sitio Huacas de Moche. Esto constituye la primera mención de estos reptiles en sitios arqueológicos precolombinos de la vertiente occidental de la Cordillera de los Andes. Los anfisbénidos fueron descubiertos en cántaros colocados al lado de los muertos, lo que indica que eran depósitos intencionales y no vestigios intrusivos. Se conocen también ofrendas de anfisbénidos en el noroeste de Argentina, en la cultura Ciénaga (2000-1400 BP), y durante los períodos de Desarrollo Regional, Inca e Hispano-Indígena (800-250 BP). Este tipo de depósitos no constituye unfenómeno cultural aislado, pero debe considerarse dentro de un contexto temporal y espacial más amplio. El registro iconográfico mochica aporta detalles adicionales y parece indicar que estos animales podrían tener un vínculo con la muerte y el sacrificio, pero también con la Vía Láctea. El descubrimiento de estos taxones ofrece nuevos datos para la comprensión de su papel ritual y de su función simbólica en las tumbas de la cultura Mochica.; Quatorze espèces animales ont été identifiées dans les tombes mochicas (100-800 apr. J.-C.). Parmi eux, la découverte d'amphisbénidés, un groupe de reptiles connue en Amérique du Sud comme «culebras de dos cabezas» (serpent à deux-têtes), se présente comme un fait nouveau. Les restes d’Amphisbaena sp., en particulier A. occidentalis, la seule espèce actuellement présente dans cette zone, ont été trouvés dans cinq tombes de la Plate-forme Uhle sur le site de Huacas de Moche. Ceci constitue la première occurrence de ces reptiles dans des sites archéologiques précolombiens du versant ouest de la Cordillère des Andes. Les amphisbénidés ont été découverts dans des jarres,déposées à côté des corps des morts, indiquant ainsi qu’il s'agissait de dépôts intentionnels et non de vestiges intrusifs. Les offrandes d’amphisbénidés sont également connues dans le nord-ouest de l’Argentine, dans la culture Ciénaga (2000-1400 BP), et pendant les périodes de Développement régional, Inca et Hispano-Indigène (800-250 BP). Ce type d’offrandes ne constitue donc pas un phénomène culturel isolé, mais doit clairement être considérée dans un contexte temporel et spatial plus large. Le registre iconographique Mochica apporte des détails supplémentaires et semble indiquer que ces animaux pourraient avoir un lien avec la mort et le sacrifice, mais aussi avec la VoieLactée. La découverte de ces taxons apporte de nouvelles données pour la compréhension de leur rôle rituel et de leur fonction symbolique dans les tombes de la culture Mochica.