Un sitio precerámico de Huarmey (PV35-6) antes de la introducción del maíz

A preceramic site near Huarmey (PV 35-6) before the introduction of maize Abstract An attempt is made to reconstruct the history of a preceramic site on the Peruvian north-central coast that was inhabited during the third millenium BC. The site and the materials recovered are described in this article. The botanical remains indicate that this occupation belonged to a transitional phase between the early preceramic epoch, when the first domesticated plants began to be utilized, and the late preceramic epoch, when domesticated plants represented the fundamental basis of the economy in societies on the Peruvian coast. The importance of the site is due to the fact that it represents an occupation immediately prior to the introduction of maize in the zone. Among the botanical material are fragments of leaves, possibly of coca. They are probably the most ancient remains of this plant known. There are also pods of beans, representing the earliest presence of this plant on the coast. The animal remains reflect the importance of the sea and its products for the early societies of Huarmey. The recovery of coprolites has led to reconstruction of the pollen spectrum and facilitated knowledge of the environment in which those societies developed. It has also enabled the authors to reconstruct the diet. It is interesting to note the possible existence of geophagy (pica). The authors conclude that, while dedicated to fishing and gathering of seafoods, the inhabitants of PV 35-6 were also utilizing agricultural produce and at the same time practising the gathering of vegetable foods and hunting of small land animals. Un site précéramique de Huarmey (PV 35-6) avant l'introduction du maïs Résumé Ce travail essaye de reconstruire l'histoire d'un petit site précéramique de la côte nord-centrale péruvienne qui est occupé depuis le troisième millénaire avant notre ère. Le site et les matériaux trouvés y sont décrits. Les restes botaniques indiquent que cette occupation correspond à une phase de transition entre le Précéramique ancien, au début de l'utilisation des premières plantes domestiquées, et le Précéramique tardif quand celles-ci sont déjà la base fondamentale de l'économie des sociétés de la côte peruviene. Ce site est important car il s'agit d'une occupation immédiatement antérieure à l'introduction du maïs dans la zone. Parmi les restes botaniques, il y a des fragments de feuilles qui semblent être de coca. Il pourrait s'agir des restes les plus anciens de cette plant