Análisis de almidones en cerámica upano: evidencia de plantas alimenticias en el sitio el edén

Abstract

CONDITION FOR PUBLICATION OF PROJECT. Upano culture, located in the Upper Ecuadorian Amazon, has been associated with the construction of artificial earthen mounds and the production of ceramics decorated with red bands between incisions and geometric motifs. Currently, no archaeobotanical studies have been conducted at the El Edén archaeological site, resulting in a lack of knowledge about the plant-based diet of the Upano culture. This research proposes to analyze starches using Upano pottery from the El Edén site to identify the different plant species used for subsistence by this culture. Sixteen ceramic fragments were analyzed using non-invasive methods of extraction and separation of starches, as well as microscopic observation. It was possible to recover ninety-six starches and identify seven plant taxa. The findings showed the presence of corn (Zea mays), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), cassava (Manihot esculenta), potato (Solanum tuberosum), achira (Canna spp.), chili pepper (Capsicum spp.), and beans (Phaseolus spp.). Finally, we concluded that the Upano culture had a varied vegetable diet, made up of grass, tubers, legumes, and rhizomes, providing an approach to the vegetable diet of this culture. Keywords: Archaeobotanical, starch analysis, Upano culture, Upper Amazon, diet