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The Growing Divide: Understanding Emergent Social Inequality in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile during the Middle Horizon through Bioarchaeology

Buck, Sharon Maria
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9345-069X
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429725154

Abstract Details

2015, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Anthropology.
The Middle Horizon (AD 500-1000) in the San Pedro de Atacama region is characterized by intensified agricultural practices, expanded trade with the Tiwanaku polity and other regional centers, and increased social complexity and inequality. However, it is not clear whether and how influences exerted by the Tiwanaku might have driven the emergence of social inequality. While there is consensus that Tiwanaku influence is associated with a period of general improvement in biological aspects of quality of life, the relationship between this improvement and local social stratification is only recently being explored. Here, I hypothesize that resource access varied according to affiliation with Tiwanaku. Therefore, the prevalence of different biological markers of diet, nutrition, and body use would vary according to individual associations with foreign material culture. A sample of 532 individuals is generated from seven Middle Horizon local cemeteries. Analysis of mortuary goods was used to determine degree of affiliation with foreign cultures. Skeletal trauma, carious lesions, abscesses, and antemortem tooth loss were used as physiological stress markers and cranial vault modification was used to indicate patterns of social identity. Individuals associated with Tiwanaku grave objects have better oral health, which suggests that social inequality played a role in distribution of benefits associated with Tiwanaku influence. Advantages as a result of this association are possibly related to cultural buffers protecting individuals from poor oral health and/or providing preferential access to valuable resources.
Mark Hubbe (Committee Co-Chair)
Clark Spencer Larsen (Committee Co-Chair)
Deanna Grimstead (Committee Member)
237 p.
Ancient History; Archaeology
San Pedro de Atacama; Tiwanaku; bioarchaeology; status; health

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Buck, S. M. (2015). The Growing Divide: Understanding Emergent Social Inequality in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile during the Middle Horizon through Bioarchaeology [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429725154

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Buck, Sharon. The Growing Divide: Understanding Emergent Social Inequality in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile during the Middle Horizon through Bioarchaeology . 2015. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429725154.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Buck, Sharon. " The Growing Divide: Understanding Emergent Social Inequality in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile during the Middle Horizon through Bioarchaeology ." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429725154

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1429725154
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.