Isotopic evidence for the trade and production of exotic marine mammal bone artifacts at Chavín de Huántar, Peru

摘要: This study uses stable isotope analysis to identify the possible origin and taxon of unusually large worked bone artifacts recovered from site Chavin de Huantar in central highland Peru (3200–2200 BP). The was traditionally considered be an ideal trading point halfway between Pacific coast Amazon jungle. archaeological specimens were discovered a workshop area located La Banda sector across main temple, they analyzed for isotopes carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen. Results indicate that are marine likely cetacean or pinniped. Their exotic elaborate work have implications about ancient production practices exchange, provide benchmark data comparative approach future artifacts.