2024/11/29 by Javier A. Montalvo-Cabrera, Roberto Campbell, André Carlo Colonese +7 · 1 voice
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Social Sciences · #Archaeology and ancient environmental studies #Botanical Research and Applications #Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies
paper · doi:10.1016/j.jas.2024.106118
openalex publication_date 2024/11/29 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
Maize, one of the primary crops cultivated in South America, has achieved significant interest in regional archaeology. However, the study of maize in regions considered peripheral to major centres of agricultural production, such as Southern Chile, has received minimal attention. Southern Chile is the southernmost point for the dispersal of maize cultivation in the Americas, with archaeological evidence dating back ca . 1000 CE. Despite the manifest presence of maize, our knowledge of its culinary and economic importance for pre-colonial societies from Southern Chile is scarce. In this study, we extracted and analysed organic residues from 188 pottery sherds to explore the potential significance of maize in local foodways over the transition from the Early (ECP: 400–1000 CE) to the Late (LCP: 1000–1550 CE) Ceramic Period. Biomolecular and carbon-stable isotope (δ 13 C) analyses of lipids indicate that maize was not a staple. Instead, our findings suggest that maize had a potentially prominent role in preparing fermented beverages consumed in important socio-political gatherings and feasts. • Organic residue analysis of pre-colonial pottery from Southern Chile. • Studying the significance of maize in pre-colonial foodways. • Maize was not a staple in Southern Chile. • Maize exploitation was probably destined for the preparation of alcoholic beverages. • C3 plants and large animals showed a higher significance in local foodways.