Abstract

GIOVANNETTI, Marco; LANTOS, Irene  and  RATTO, Norma. Identification of corn starch from Catamarca: application to two archaeological cases. Comechingonia [online]. 2015, vol.19, n.2, pp.235-255. ISSN 1851-0027.

In this paper we introduce a statistical model to discriminate different maize types in archaeological starch grains recovered from pottery and ground stone tools. The model was developed using a wide database of starch grains from maize landraces native to the Argentine Northwest. We carried out a Discriminant Analysis using the stepwise methodology. This analysis allowed us to assign the archaeological starch grains to different maize types, defined by their endosperm texture: flint, floury, sweet, dent and flint-floury. The identification of different maize types in archaeological samples allowed us to discuss food and beverage preparation and consumption practices in Catamarca during the pre-Hispanic period.

Keywords : Archaeobotany; Zea mays L.; Northwestern Argentina maize landraces; Discriminant statistical model.