Confirmation of Starchy Plant Processing in Lagoa Santa by Paleoindian People: Results of Microrremain and Use-Wear Analysis at Lapa Grande de Taquaraçu
Rodrigo Angeles Flores, Maria Ester Venezia, Astolfo G. M. Araujo, G. Ceccantini
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
ABSTRACT For decades, the importance of tuberous plants in central Brazil’s Paleoindian subsistence models has been indirectly inferred through dental and lithic analysis. However, little direct evidence about the consumption of this type of plant has been produced. In this report, we present some of the earliest evidence for starchy plant processing in the area. To do so, starch-grain and use-wear analyses were applied to lithics from the Lapa Grande de Taquaraçu site. This is a small limestone rock shelter located in an area bordering the Lagoa Santa micro-region (Minas Gerais State, Brazil), occupied from ca. 11,500 to 1000 calendar years ago. The presence of starch grains in almost every lithic artifact analyzed, together with use-wear marks, suggest their use in the processing of tuberous plants and, indirectly, the consumption of this type of vegetable resource among Paleoindian groups. Moreover, morphological modifications shown in some of the starch grains might indicate cooking or fermentation.
PaleoAmericaEarth and Planetary Sciences-Paleontology
CiteScore
3.70
自引率
0.00%
发文量
15
期刊介绍:
PaleoAmerica disseminates new research results and ideas about early human dispersal and migrations, with a particular focus on the Americas. It fosters an interdisciplinary dialog between archaeologists, geneticists and other scientists investigating the dispersal of modern humans during the late Pleistocene. The journal has three goals: First and foremost, the journal is a vehicle for the presentation of new research results. Second, it includes editorials on special topics written by leaders in the field. Third, the journal solicits essays covering current debates in the field, the state of research in relevant disciplines, and summaries of new research findings in a particular region, for example Beringia, the Eastern Seaboard or the Southern Cone of South America. Although the journal’s focus is the peopling of the Americas, editorials and research essays also highlight the investigation of early human colonization of empty lands in other areas of the world. As techniques are developing so rapidly, work in other regions can be very relevant to the Americas, so the journal will publish research relating to other regions which has relevance to research on the Americas.