Content:
Regardless of the epoch or context, Andean zooarchaeological assemblages are dominated by the remains of large endemic mammals such as camelids and deer, which were valued for their multipurpose use. Species that are less frequently encountered often fall under the umbrella term of “exotic” animals. This category includes non-edible (e.g., Andean condors) and non-local animals (e.g., Amazonian parrots and monkeys). Using a multi-isotopic approach that combines carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and strontium stable isotopes, we reconstruct the osteobiographies of “exotic” species recovered from Castillo de Huarmey, the only known Pacific coast center of the Wari Empire. Combined with standard zooarchaeological data, our results shed light on multispecies mobility and document the extent of Wari control over various Andean landscapes. Simultaneously, we aim to reconceptualize the term "exotic species" itself. The modern distinctions between local and non-local fauna might not be identical in the past and likely varied among social groups. People acculturate the meaning of animal species, and we argue that modern scientists construct their own. Such constructs should be acknowledged when differentiating between rare zooarchaeological finds and rare species, as these distinctions influence not only archaeological interpretations but also contemporary conservation policies.
Keywords:
zooarchaeology, multi-isotopic analysis, Wari Empire, Andean archaeology, multispecies relationships, animal mobility