Anasazi Subsistence in La Plata, New Mexico: Carbon, Corn and Culture
 

Excavations conducted in the La Plata valley of northern New Mexico recovered human skeletal remains from the Pueblo II/III period (1000-1200 AD) which received different burial treatments. Individuals in flexed, twisted, or ‘hurled’ burial contexts revealed gender-based diet differentiation.  Stable isotope analysis of bone collagen and bone apatite samples indicate all were heavily dependent on maize, however, individuals with signs of peri-mortem cultural modification indicate substantially different diets, suggesting prior residence at other than the La Plata site.  Implications of these results concerning subsistence, cultural practices and warfare will be discussed.