Macro and microscopic identification of Zea mays grains (Poaceae) in early prehispanic contexts of Quebrada de Los Corrales (Tucumán, Argentina)

Abstract

In this work we report the discovery of charred macrorrests of Zea mays grains from early contexts (ca. 3500 years BP) of the archaeological site Taller Puesto Viejo 1, in Quebrada de Los Corrales (Tucumán, Northwest Argentina). For the identification, a combined analysis of both macroscopic diagnostic characters (texture, structure and fracturing pattern) and microscopic characters (starch granules and phytoliths) was implemented. This methodology allowed the identification of nine carbonized corn fragments that, at the microscopic level, have numerous starch granules and some phytoliths, diagnostic of the taxon. We evaluate the implications of this finding in its context of mortuary type and in the general context of evidence of early maize in Argentina and Chile.