Additional Evidence for cal. Seventh-Century A.D. Maize Consumption at the Kipp Island Site, New York
Title | Additional Evidence for cal. Seventh-Century A.D. Maize Consumption at the Kipp Island Site, New York |
Publication Type | Book Chapter |
Year of Publication | 2011 |
Authors | Hart, JP, Anderson, LM, Feranec, RS |
Editor | Rieth, CB, Hart, JP |
Book Title | Current Research in New York State Archaeology: A.D. 700-1300 |
Series Title | New York State Museum Record |
Series Volume | 2 |
Pagination | 27-40 |
Publisher | The University of the State of New York |
City | Albany, New York |
Keywords | Kipp Island, maize, New York, Zea mays ssp. mays. |
Abstract | The histories of maize in New York have changed radically over the past decade based on the recovery of phytolith assemblages from directly AMS-dated charred cooking residues adhering to the interior surfaces of pottery sherds. We now know that maize was being used as early as ca. cal 300 B.C. at the Vinette site in the Finger Lakes region. Maize phytoliths have also been found in cooking resides dating to ca. cal. A.D. 650 from the Kipp Island site. Here we present additional evidence for maize use at this time through the analysis of human teeth from a cemetery at the site that Ritchie originally dated to ca. A.D. 1000, but that now appears to date primarily to ca. cal. A.D. 650. Dental caries rates and stable carbon isotopes both indicate maize consumption at this time. |