DIET AT JABUTICABEIRA II : CONSUMO DE PLANTAS REVELADO POR MICROVESTIGIOS PROVENIENTES DE CALCULO DENTARIO

Analysis of dental calculus contents from human osteological collections is a powerful tool for Archaeology. It is particularly important for sites where archaeobotanical remains were not recovered, such as certain sambaquis. In this study, we analyzed starch grains, phytoliths, and diatoms obtained from calculus from sambaqui Jabuticabeira II. We suggest that plants from the families Araceae (taro), Arecaceae (palms), Convolvulaceae (sweet potato), Dioscoreaceae (yams), Maranthaceae (leren), Myrtaceae (pitanga), and Poaceae (including maize) were consumed. Damaged starches were recovered, indicating food processing. Variations in the number and distribution of starch grains among the individuals suggest a more diversified diet for some of them. However, no difference was found when comparing the starch assemblage by sex, age class, presence or absence of certain pathologies, and burial characteristics. Diatoms identification reaffirms the use of resources from the nearby paleolagoon. The diversity of plant microremains found as well as evidence of use of domesticated plants as food might indicate that the group lived in a system of mixed economy, where fishing and gathering were associated with horticulture. Although preliminary, the results presented here reaffirm the importance of plants in the daily life of the group from Jabuticabeira II and bring some important contributions to Brazilian Archaeobotany. Keywords: Paleodiet, Dental calculus, Shell mound, Plant microremains, Starch, Phytolith, Diatom. A analise do conteudo de calculo dentario de colecoes osteologicas e uma ferramenta poderosa para a Arqueologia. Ela e particularmente importante para sitios a partir dos quais nao foram recuperados restos botanicos, caso de muitos sambaquis. Neste estudo, analisaram-se graos de amido, fitolitos e diatomaceas extraidos de calculo de sambaquieiros de Jabuticabeira II. Sugere-se que plantas das familias Araceae (familia do inhame), Arecaceae (palmeiras), Convolvulaceae (batata-doce), Dioscoreaceae (caras), Maranthaceae (aria), Myrtaceae (possivelmente pitanga) e Poaceae (incluindo milho), entre outras, eram consumidas. Graos de amido danificados foram observados, indicando processamento alimentar. Numero e distribuicao dos graos de amido variaram consideravelmente entre individuos, sugerindo uma dieta mais diversificada para alguns. Porem, comparando-se as assembleias destes microrrestos por sexo, classe etaria, presenca ou ausencia de patologias e caracteri