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Molecular evidence for new foodways in the early colonial Caribbean: organic residue analysis at Isla de Mona, Puerto Rico

Briggs, Lisa, Cooper, Jago, Craig, Oliver E., Heron, Carl, Lucquin, Alexandre, Milantchi, María Mercedes Martínez, Samson, Alice·2023·Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences
DOI 10.1007/s12520-023-01771-yPMC PMC10154268
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Abstract

Ceramic objects account for over 90% of the cultural material recovered from archaeological sites in the Caribbean. However, little research has been conducted on molecular evidence for past food production from these same vessels. Forty ceramic sherds from Isla de Mona have been analysed by GC–MS and GC-C-IRMS in order to address questions surrounding foodways in the Greater Antilles prior to and post European arrival. We evaluate evidence for dietary changes to illuminate aspects of cultural exchange between Indigenous populations and the first generations of Spanish colonists. Here, we show that plant residues are found in a variety of pottery forms, with some evidence for non-ruminant and ruminant fats. The dearth of marine biomarkers is curious given the volume of fish bones found in archaeological contexts on Isla de Mona and may offer evidence for spit-roasting, pit-roasting, or the use of a ‘barbacoa’ to cook fish on the island. The ubiquity of plant residues in a variety of pottery forms may relate to the large-scale cultivation and export of cassava ( Manihot esculenta ) from the island. A Spanish olive jar revealed evidence of wine residues, which may constitute the earliest detection of wine residues in pottery found in the Americas.

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Metadata

Authors
Briggs, L., Cooper, J., Craig, O. E., Heron, C., Lucquin, A., Milantchi, M. M. M., & Samson, A.
ORCID
Venue
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2023-05
Volume
15
Issue
5
ISSN
  • 1866-9557
  • 1866-9565
DOI
10.1007/s12520-023-01771-y
PMC
PMC10154268
Cited by
8
References
0
Language
en
Licence
Funders
Wellcome Trust (097365/Z/11/Z)

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