The traditional portrayal of early Chinchorro populations is that of highly mobile groups. However, there is growing bioarchaeological evidence that indicates they had a year-round occupation on the coast rather than seasonal occupation (see Arriaza 1995; Standen 1997). Their diet, reconstructed using bone chemistry analysis, indicates heavy exploitation of maritime resources and they suffered from maritime parasites and a common cold water-related ear pathology called auditory exostosis. Their tool kit was maritime. They generated extensive shell middens along the coast and their cemeteries had long occupations, which all point to a year-round maritime subsistence. Recent studies by Aufderheide et al. (2004) found that the Chinchorros suffered from Chagas disease. This disease was associated with endemic reduvid bugs that live alongside humans within their huts and shelters. If the Chinchorros were highly mobile, Chagas disease would not have affected them. Although they were sedentary, evidence shows that they did occasionally travel to inland oases, such as Pampa del Tamarugal basin, south of Arica, Tiliviche and Aragon (Nunez 1983; Nunez and Zlatar 1980), which are located between 2 and 40 km into the valley, to gather lithic raw materials and to collect river resources like crayfish.
This early preceramic sedentary way of life based on a maritime subsistence rather than agriculture was relatively unique. Though this was their preferred mode of subsistence, there were health consequences for this choice. For example, the consumption of raw fish predisposed the Chinchorros to acquisition of tapeworm that led to anemia. Parasite ova found in the gut of mummies, and porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitalia in their cranial bones testify to this. Also, continuous exposure to cold wind and water caused ear irritation and bony growth in the ear canal (external auditory exostosis). This mechanical blockage certainly decreased
Figure 3.1. Map for locating sites mentioned in text. (Alvaro Romero)
Their hearing capabilities. Men suffered from lower back problems (spondylolysis) likely caused by their hunting and maritime physical activities, while females had crushed vertebra, most certainly the consequences of increased fertility and osteoporosis or bone density loss. Domestic violence was common. Chinchorro females often had arm fractures characteristic of attempts to block a blow to the head. Males in contrast quarreled with bare hands or stones as their broken noses and small round cranial fractures indicated (Standen and Arriaza 2000). Sometimes violence escalated and harpoons became lethal weapons; at least one young male had a lithic point embedded in his spine (Figure 3.3).
Figure 3.2. Caleta Camarones. (Bernardo Arriaza)
Figure 3.3. Human vertebrae with lithic point. (Bernardo Arriaza)
Another stress marker was a high rate of lower leg infections resembling treponema-tosis (a type of non-venereal syphilis). Arriaza (1995) postulated that these maladies were infections acquired during the mummification process. Handling infected corpses could have been an occupational hazard of the mummy makers and their apprentices, unknowingly
Increasing disease transmission to the rest of the population. Furthermore, sedentary living could have increased the risk and spread of infectious diseases. In support of this position is evidence of decreasing treponematosis, as complex mummification practices faded away.
World History
