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.