Isotopic values of faunal resources exploited by the complex hunter–gatherer groups in the Paraná River ecosystem (South America) during the Late Holocene

Abstract

This paper presents the first results of the regional isotopic paleoecology for the middle Paraná basin, northeastern Argentina. The δ13Ccollagen, δ13Capatite and δ15N values obtained from samples corresponding to the main prey exploited by pre–Hispanic groups are discussed. These values are compared with the regionally available isotopic data. The samples analyzed were recovered from complex hunter–gatherer sites dating from between 777–779 and 1471–1480 years cal AD. The results obtained suggest a differential consumption of C3 and C4 resources by the different rodents, deer, and fish. When comparing the isotopic values from prey in the middle and lower Paraná, the former group shows greater consumption of 15N-enriched and 13C-enriched foods. These data provide a baseline for palaeodietary inferences of the pre-Columbian groups that occupied the Paraná River basin during the Late Holocene.