Analysis of Kaqchikel Skeletons: Iximché, Guatemala

Conclusion

Substantial variation in carbon isotope ratios were observed in the analyzed sample of 43 teeth from Iximché, with all individuals exhibiting very heavy reliance on C4 plants, most likely maize. Several individuals had substantially different diets at the time of tooth formation, in all but one case relying on substantially less maize in the diet. At minimum this suggests the availability of alternative food resources, but it cannot be determined at this time whether this is due to short-term dietary variation during the time of tooth formation; living in different ecological settings; or preferential access based on elite status to alternative food resources, such as domesticated C3 crops or hunted animals. Analysis of multiple teeth from the same individual, combined with the correlation of isotopic results for tooth enamel samples with bone collagen from the same individual would help to resolve this issue. A study of the isotopic ecology of the Iximché region would also permit more precise estimation of the importance of specific food groups to Iximché diets.

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