Dietary reconstruction in prehistoric humans from Indiana: An analysis of dental macrowear, dental pathology, and dental microwear
Abstract
Based upon a study of paleobotanical remains by Wymer (1993) and the political economy model for culture change proposed by Blanton et al. (1996), it is hypothesized that in prehistoric Indiana not all major cultural shifts (as suggested by changes in artifact styles, settlement patterns, mortuary practices, etc.) had a concomitant dietary shift. Moreover, it is hypothesized that the only major dietary shift was to maize around AD 1000. These hypotheses are tested via dietary reconstructions of 303 prehistoric humans from Indiana who represent five prehistoric temporal periods (Late Archaic, Early/Middle Woodland, Late Woodland, Oliver Tradition, Mississippian). The dietary reconstructions are based upon analyses of dental macrowear, pathology and microwear. Intra- and intertemporal comparisons are made with parametric (ANOVA) and non-parametric (chi-squared) statistical tests. There is evidence for dietary transitions between all of the five major temporal periods studied here. For the Late Archaic through the Late Woodland these transitions are subtle, meaning that the dietary staples remain fairly constant although the secondary foods change noticeably. Maize was consumed during the Late Woodland (probably prior to AD 1000), although it was most likely only a supplemental resource. It is not until the arrival of the Oliver Tradition and Mississippian period (around AD 1050) that a major dietary transition is evident. At this point, maize becomes the primary food resource, replacing wild nuts and/or domesticated oily/starchy seeds as the dietary staple. It is concluded that in prehistoric Indiana major cultural shifts and major dietary shifts do not always occur simultaneously. This is in accord with the political economy model for culture change which does not require major dietary shifts to accompany major cultural shifts.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Helmkamp, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Physical anthropology
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