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On Ch'arki Consumption in the Ancient Central Andes: A Cautionary Note

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Lidio M. Valdez
Lidio M. Valdez*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Trent University, P.O Box 4800, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8 Canada lvaldez@trentu.ca
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Abstract

Recently, Andeanist zooarchaeologists have introduced the so-called "ch'arki effect": a taphonomic factor to explain the disproportional occurrence of some camelid skeletal parts at archaeological sites. Briefly, it has been argued that the lower frequency of head and foot bones is the by-product of ch'arki (dried meat) exchange and therefore indicative of ch'arki consumption. This generalization, however, is problematic. When fresh meat is distributed (by trade) and consumed, exactly the same pattern as with ch'arki distribution is produced. To infer ch'arki consumption on the basis of the absence of head and lower limb bones is therefore misleading.

Resumen

Resumen

Recientemente, los zooarqueólogos andinistas han iniciado a utilizar la categoría del "factor ch'arki" para explicar la presencia desproporcionada de algunas partes del esqueleto en los sitios arqueológicos. Se sostiene que la menorpresencia de algunos huesos, tal es el caso de aquellos de la cabeza y los pies, es producto del intercambio y consumo del ch'arki. Esta generalización, sin embargo, es problematico. Con la distribución (trueque) y consumo de carne fresca, se produce exactamente el mismo patron que se plantea existir con el consumo de ch'arki. Por lo tanto, asumir el consumo del ch'arki en base a la ausencia de los huesos de la cabeza y las patas puede ser totalmente engañoso.

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Type
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Information
American Antiquity , Volume 65 , Issue 3 , July 2000 , pp. 567 - 572
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 2000

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