The study of ancient cultures often relies on artifacts and remnants from bygone eras to piece together the puzzle of our human history. Among the more unconventional sources of information, fossilized feces, or coprolites, have emerged as unlikely biographers, offering unique insights into the lives of ancient peoples. In a recent discovery, a 1500-year-old coprolite from Puerto Rico has revealed a surprising twist in the diets of two ancient cultures, the Huecoids and Saladoids. This article delves into the unexpected findings and their implications for understanding the diet, lifestyle, and interactions of these pre-Columbian cultures.

Discovering the Past with Coprolites

Coprolites have long been an essential source of information for archaeologists and anthropologists, as they provide a glimpse into the dietary habits and microbiomes of ancient humans. Furthermore, they can shed light on the viruses and bacteria that affected these populations. The study of pre-Columbian cultures in Central and South America has been particularly intriguing, as it continues to present questions and mysteries.

In a groundbreaking study published in PLOS ONE, a team of researchers from Puerto Rico, Minnesota, and California examined a 1500-year-old coprolite found in Vieques, Puerto Rico. This coprolite originated from two co-inhabiting ancient cultures, the Huecoids and Saladoids, who lived on the island centuries before Columbus's arrival. The research aimed to reconstruct the diets and plant life of these cultures by analyzing plant DNA from the coprolite.

The Expectations and Surprises

The analysis of six Huecoid samples and four Saladoid samples revealed a dietary pattern consistent with the expected foods of the time, such as peanuts, papaya, maize, and chili peppers. However, the researchers made a surprising discovery. In addition to these traditional foods, the coprolite contained traces of cotton and tobacco – two plants not typically considered as edible.

The presence of cotton and tobacco in ancient feces raised eyebrows among researchers. To explain this anomaly, the team floated two plausible hypotheses. They proposed that the ancient cultures might have used cotton oil as a food additive or accidentally ingested cotton fibers while preparing yarn, as women in these cultures were known for their weaving practices. This suggestion is supported by the discovery of cotton DNA between teeth in dental samples from the same cultures. Regarding tobacco, the researchers hypothesized that it might have been ingested through chewing. While no direct reference to chewing tobacco exists in pre-Columbian practices, evidence suggests that a blend of pulverized herbs, including tobacco, could have served as a hallucinogenic snuff. Tobacco also had medicinal and hallucinogenic uses in these cultures.

The Implications for Human Interaction

Beyond the dietary revelations, the findings have broader implications for understanding the interactions between ancient cultures. Jelissa Reynoso-García, the study's first author and a postdoctoral microbiology researcher at the University of California, Davis, suggests that these findings indicate an active trade between the continents and Puerto Rico, possibly extending to other Caribbean islands. Gary Antonio Toranzos Soria, the senior author of the paper and a microbiology professor at the University of Puerto Rico, highlights how this research fits into the larger narrative of commerce. Earlier studies revealed DNA from animals not native to Puerto Rico, suggesting active trade between these ancient cultures and South America, and perhaps Central America. Matthew Biwer, a paleoethnobotany professor at Dickinson College, supports the findings and emphasizes their value in documenting the archaeological connections between South America and the Caribbean. These discoveries enrich our understanding of the complex network of trade and interaction among ancient cultures.

The examination of a 1500-year-old coprolite from Puerto Rico has unearthed remarkable insights into the diets and interactions of pre-Columbian cultures. The presence of cotton and tobacco in the feces of the Huecoids and Saladoids has challenged traditional notions of their dietary habits and hinted at a world of trade and cultural exchange. As researchers continue to delve into the fecal archives of ancient societies, they hope to uncover more secrets about the vibrant history of our ancestors and their connections to distant lands.