Molecular evidence for new foodways in the early colonial Caribbean: organic residue analysis at Isla de Mona, Puerto Rico

Lisa Briggs; Jago Cooper; Oliver E Craig; Carl Heron; Alexandre Lucquin; María Mercedes Martínez Milantchi; Alice Samson

doi:10.1007/s12520-023-01771-y

Molecular evidence for new foodways in the early colonial Caribbean: organic residue analysis at Isla de Mona, Puerto Rico

Archaeol Anthropol Sci. 2023;15(5):70. doi: 10.1007/s12520-023-01771-y. Epub 2023 May 3.

Authors

Lisa Briggs¹, Jago Cooper², Oliver E Craig³, Carl Heron⁴, Alexandre Lucquin³, María Mercedes Martínez Milantchi⁵, Alice Samson⁶

Affiliations

¹ Cranfield Forensic Institute, Cranfield University, College Rd, Cranfield, Wharley End, Bedford, MK43 0AL UK.
² Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia, Norfolk Rd, Norwich, NR4 7TJ UK.
³ BioArCH, University of York, Environment Building, Wentworth Way, Heslington, YO10 5NG York UK.
⁴ Scientific Research Department, The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG UK.
⁵ Department of Africa, Oceania and Americas, The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG UK.
⁶ University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH UK.

Abstract

Ceramic objects account for over 90% of the cultural material recovered from archaeological sites in the Caribbean. However, little research has been conducted on molecular evidence for past food production from these same vessels. Forty ceramic sherds from Isla de Mona have been analysed by GC-MS and GC-C-IRMS in order to address questions surrounding foodways in the Greater Antilles prior to and post European arrival. We evaluate evidence for dietary changes to illuminate aspects of cultural exchange between Indigenous populations and the first generations of Spanish colonists. Here, we show that plant residues are found in a variety of pottery forms, with some evidence for non-ruminant and ruminant fats. The dearth of marine biomarkers is curious given the volume of fish bones found in archaeological contexts on Isla de Mona and may offer evidence for spit-roasting, pit-roasting, or the use of a 'barbacoa' to cook fish on the island. The ubiquity of plant residues in a variety of pottery forms may relate to the large-scale cultivation and export of cassava (Manihot esculenta) from the island. A Spanish olive jar revealed evidence of wine residues, which may constitute the earliest detection of wine residues in pottery found in the Americas.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12520-023-01771-y.

Keywords: Colonial Caribbean; Diet; Organic residues; Pottery, Foodways; Wine.