Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

Spring 5-5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

May 2026

Department

Anthropology

College Granting Degree

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters

Department Granting Degree

Anthropology

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Valentina Martínez

Thesis/Dissertation Co-Chair

Katharine Napora

Abstract

The research examines plant resource management and food processing practices of the Manteño occupation of the Río Blanco, Manabí, Ecuador, through the analysis of starch grain residues recovered from archaeological artifacts. Twenty-six samples from four archeological sites (N4C4-044, N4C4-064, N4C4-068, N4C4-090) associated with domestic artifacts such as fragments of comales, vessels, and metates were analyzed, from which a total of 546 starch grains were identified, corresponding to several plant taxa including maize (Zea mays), beans (Phaseolus spp.), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), manioc (Manihot esculenta), chili pepper (Capsicum spp.), and squash (Cucurbita spp.). The presence of oca (Oxalis tuberosa) and smooth potato (Ullucus tuberosus), plants associated with highland environments, suggests the circulation of non-local plant resources and an interaction network between regions. Overall, the results contribute to the understanding of plant use and subsistence practices among pre-Hispanic coastal societies in Ecuador and highlight the importance of micro botanical analyses for reconstructing ancient food systems and regional interactions.

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