The Green Deer: Chaya as a Potential Source of Protein for the Ancient Maya

• DOI: 10.1017/laq.2021.71
• Publication Date: 2021-10-13T19:38:43Z
• Authors: Henry P. Schwarcz; Anabel Ford; Martin Knyf; Anil Kumar
• Keywords: Maya; Flesh

Archaeologists have used isotope analysis (δ 13 C, δ 15 N) of the collagen human bones, as well knowledge available nutrients, to infer that diet ancient Maya was drawn from resources forest landscape. The interpretations focused on plant carbohydrates maize and protein dominated by white-tail deer. N values bone suggest most requirements could been satisfied with a mixture wild animal flesh cultivated plants including beans. Chaya, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius , domesticated before Spanish conquest, has high-protein content potential significant contributor diet. Chaya is easily propagated, grown in home gardens today, part local traditional Chaya's stable isotopic composition carbon C) resembles other terrestrial plants, but its for nitrogen are significantly higher. Consumption chaya would result slightly higher humans than expected consumption animals. Thus, situated component complex, diverse, varied diets Mesoamericans.