ALGUNS ASPECTOS DA DIETA DE HUMANOS PRÉ-HISTÓRICOS BRASILEIROS

Abstract

Some Aspects of the Diet of Prehistoric Brazilian Humans The analysis of δ13C and δ15N of remaining collagen in prehistoric human bones is the most important method to determine the diets of ancient populations. Although this technique has provided information about eating habits of various ancient peoples of Africa, Europe and North America, few studies of this type have been carried out in Brazil. The objective of this study is to present and discuss the results of chemical analysis of δ13C and δ15N performed on nine samples of ancient human bones from Brazil, in order to obtain information about the diet of these primitive humans. The results indicate that three skeletons excavated in Minas Gerais belonged to consumers of plants of the C3 group and were probably hunter-gatherers. The other five skeletons from Minas Gerais could not be assessed because the values of C/N for these samples indicate that the collagen in those bones was poorly preserved. The individual whose bones were found in Piauí/Brazil probably practiced agriculture. Since this individual inhabited the inland regions, data on the nitrogen could not be used to characterize 

this person’s diet because the δ15N values indicate that the individual was a consumer of seafood. More likely, the individual from Piauí had an additional source of protein in his diet, occupying a higher trophic level in the food chain than those of Minas Gerais.