This paper presents isotopic and morphometric evidence suggesting the migration of farmers in the southern Andes (AD 1270–1420), preceding the Inka conquest (around AD 1400). The study analyzes human remains from the Andean Uspallata Valley (Argentina), combining strontium isoscape analysis to identify migrants, geometric morphometric analysis of craniofacial morphology, and stable isotope analysis of paleodiet. The findings indicate a significant influx of migrants with diets exceptionally high in C4 plants (primarily maize) during a period of regional demographic increase, suggesting this migration was part of broader settlement pattern changes before Inka expansion. This increased social diversity may have been exploited by the Inka during their interactions with local societies.
Publisher
Scientific Reports
Published On
Dec 03, 2020
Authors
Ramiro Barberena, Lumila Menéndez, Petrus J. le Roux, Erik J. Marsh, Augusto Tessone, Paula Novellino, Gustavo Lucero, Julie Luyt, Judith Sealy, Marcelo Cardillo, Alejandra Gasco, Carina Llano, Cecilia Frigolé, Daniela Guevara, Gabriela Da Peña, Diego Winocur, Anahí Benítez, Luis Cornejo, Fernanda Falabella, César Méndez, Amalia Nuevo-Delaunay, Lorena Sanhueza, Francisca Santana Sagredo, Andrés Troncoso, Sol Zárate, Víctor A. Durán, Valeria Cortegoso
Tags
migration
farmers
southern Andes
Inka
isotopic analysis
morphometrics
paleodiet
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