| Ancient Maya diet at Caledonia, Cayo District, Belize (Late Preclassic to Terminal Classic periods), was investigated using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of human bone collagen, bioapatite and tooth enamel bioapatite. These data were compared to skeletal and dental evidence of diet and nutritional stress, and dietary differences based on age, sex, social status and time period were considered. The diet of the Caledonia Maya was based on maize, supplemented with maize-fed terrestrial animal protein and freshwater mollusc protein. Due to small sample sizes, no relationships between diet and pathology, age, sex, social status or time period were discerned. The Caledonia Maya did consume diets similar to those at neighbouring sites, as well as to sites in the Peten of Guatemala. This study demonstrates that although small sample sizes can preclude the detection of infra-site trends at minor centres such as Caledonia, inter-site comparisons can provide information on regional dietary practices.;Keywords: Ancient Maya, Caledonia, Belize, paleodiet, stable isotopes, carbon, nitrogen, collagen, bioapatite, human bone, human teeth... |
