Camelids are the only large animal to have been domesticated in the Western Hemisphere. Through the meat, fiber, and perhaps most importantly the transportation capacity of these magnificent animals, camelids formed the economic backbone of the Inca Empire - the largest and most powerful of the Americas. By the time of European contact, large caravans of sometimes up to thousands of llamas were carrying goods from valley to valley across the vast expanse of the Inca Empire.
Yet, despite well over a hundred years of archaeological research in the Andean highlands of South America, precious little is known about when, where, or how llamas and alpacas were domesticated.
In an attempt to improve knowledge regarding camelid domestication at Jiskairumoko, Peru, and other sites soon to be excavated in the region, help from camelid owners across the U. S. is being sought. A comparative collection of camelid teeth from animals for which the age at death, the season of death, and a rough estimate of forage are all known is under development. Analysis of this reference collection will permit the application of crown height wear and cementum annuli age estimation methods to archaeological collections.
Those who have access to specimens meeting these critera are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. Nathan Craig at the address provided below. The results of this study will be published in a peer reviewed academic journal, and digital copies of the analysis results will be provided for free on the internet.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
Nathan Craid, Ph.D. Department of Anthropology The University of Arizona 1009 E. South Campus Drive Tucson, AZ 85721-0030 E-Mail: n8craig@gmail.com