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The Potential of Bulk δ13C on Encrusted Cooking Residues as Independent Evidence for Regional Maize Histories

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

John P. Hart ,
William A. Lovis ,
Robert J. Jeske  and
John D. Richards
John P. Hart
Affiliation:
Research and Collections Division, New York State Museum, 3140Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY 12230 (jph_nysm@mail.nysed.gov)
William A. Lovis
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology and Michigan State University Museum, 355 Baker Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 (lovis@msu.edu)
Robert J. Jeske
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 290 Sabin Hall, P.O. Box 413, 3413 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53201 (jeske@uwm.edu)
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Abstract

The histories of maize utilization in eastern North America have been substantially revised recently, primarily because of the analysis of charred cooking residues encrusted on pottery. A multifaceted research strategy of bulk δ13C assays coupled with accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon data and microbotanical evidence can yield coherent regional maize use histories. Bulk δ13 C assay interpretation complications include (1) variations among vessels by site, (2) a potential for false negatives, and (3) a wide range of variation potentially present for any given time period. Regional histories using this approach can be quite variable without appropriate use of multiple lines of evidence.

Resumen

Resumen

Las historias de la utilización del maíz en el este de Norteamérica han sido revisadas considerablemente en años recientes debido principalmente a los análisis de residuos carbonizados que se encuentran incrustados al interior de tiestos de cerámica. Una estrategia multifacética de investigación de los valores del cúmulo de δ13C junto con datos de radiocarbono AMS, así como evidencia microbotánica, puede proporcionar historias coherentes del uso del maíz en la región. La interpretación de la prueba del cúmulo de δ13C se complica debido al) variaciones entre vasijas por sitio, 2) el potencial de negativos falsos, y 3) un amplio rango de variabilidad potencialmente presente durante cualquier período de tiempo. Historias regionales que utilicen este método pueden resultar bastante variables sin el uso apropiado de múltiples líneas de evidencia.

Type
Reports
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 77 , Issue 2 , April 2012 , pp. 315 - 325
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 2012

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