Comments on Amerindian Hunting Practices in Trinidad (West Indies): Tetrapods From the Manzanilla Site (Late Ceramic Age 300-900 AD)

摘要

Located on the eastern shore of Trinidad island, the Manzanilla (SAN-1) deposit is a lengthy pre-Columbian occupation sequence consisting of an extensive Palo Seco (Saladoid) layer (300-600 AD) and a Bontour layer (600-1400 AD). According to initial reports on faunal remains, the former inhabitants of this site seem to have developed acquisition strategies relying on a wide range of ecological niches, including marine and terrestrial resources. A wide faunal spectrum is present in the Manzanilla assemblage, illustrating an opportunistic exploitation of the local surroundings. Marine resources, such as mollusks and fish, have indeed played a continuousmajor role in pre-Columbian diet, but the significant amount of tetrapod remains show that terrestrial game was also significant. Published zooarchaeologicalmaterial is relatively scarce in this region, particularly in Trinidad. Therefore, through the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the faunal remains (skeletal parts distribution, ungulates osteometry) this study aims to shed some light on the hunting practice patterns and food harvesting strategies of the former inhabitants.