started this post with an illustration inspired by one of the design of J. Martinez, who is attached in some publications on Cuban Archaeology.
continue with the results obtained in this investigation and study of the diet of the Aboriginal community potter (Neolithic) established in the vicinity of the Zaza River, municipality of La Sierpe, Sancti Spiritus Province (Cuba).
Reptiles
vertebrae, bones, fragments of carapace and plastron were identified corresponding to marine and inland specimens of two families: Chelonidae and Emydiidae.
Family Chelonidae
In the seas near the island are three species of marine turtle fundamental: the loggerhead (Caretta caretta ), the hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata ) and green turtle (Chelonia midas .)
In the spawning season reach the stretch of beaches to lay their eggs there.
Of these, the green turtle is the largest. This has a fat green much appreciated by gourmets as well as its highly nutritious meat. Usually feed seaweed. They are numerous
bone-in perfect condition, and as the plastron and carapace fragments, belonging only to Chelonia midas; achieving turn identify fragments belonging to the skull of this animal. Family
Emydiidae
Inhabits rivers and freshwater lakes. Is smaller than turtles. Cuba currently known is a single species of this family: Trichemys decussata (turtle). It ghoul and generally feed on aquatic plants and algae. It is edible, although the proportion of meat which provides relatively small compared to marine species. Only collect fragments of carapace and plastron of T. decussata less frequently. Mammals
This group consists of two families and Capromyidae Trichechidae . Family
Capromyidae
The jutías are fitófogas, or feed on vegetable matter (bark, roots, fruits, tubers, leaves, etc.)..
spend much time perched in trees, with the conga ( Capromys pilorides ) the most terrestrial of all, as it often inhabits semiarid areas.
mandibles were able to differentiate gender hutia: Capromys, Boromys and Geocapromys . The species of the latter two genera are now extinct. Also are collected; bones of the forelimbs and later. Family
Trichechidae
The manatee (Trichechus manatus ) is a mammal exclusively aquatic habits, habitat that does not leave voluntarily. Can reach a length of 4.5 m or more, but specimens of about 3 m are common. A large individual weighs more than 590 kg.
Their diet is based on aquatic plants. Their meat is excellent, such as beef or pork. Its fat is top quality and produces a very Fine cuisine.
The manatee is harmless. It inhabits rivers, estuaries, lagoons and shallow coastal waters, preferably not penetrate far into the sea, where it may suffer attacks by large sharks. Shellfish
Within this group, is marine gastropod shells and land, as well as shells of various species of bivalves, which are identified from food waste are removed during the rescue excavation.
Species: Zachrysia auricoma (cock)
a snail is very common in our island and you can find, preferably in moist soils abundant vegetation, which shows high activity, mainly during spring in the evening preceded by a rainy day.
Species: Liguus sp.
is arboreal, or lives in the trunk and branches of trees. Its shell is decorated with lines of beautiful shades, is tapered. Inhabit certain regions of the country, so it has some endemism.
Species: melongena Melongena
inhabits shallow waters over sandy and is part of the coastal marine fauna.
Your collection should be relatively easy, it only requires some skill in swimming, and means of transport.
Species: Livonian pica (follow)
They are found attached to the reefs in coastal areas before the force influence of sunlight. On arrival of these mollusks to reefs from coral areas, contributes greatly increased water levels during high tide.
The pearly shell with conical shaped blackish spots.
Its meat is used in food today, and for many fishermen.
Species: Nerita sp
has habits very similar to the Livonian pica, however significant their differences with the latter in terms of reduced size and shape of the shell.
Species: Codakia It
orbicularis pelecypod abundant this species on the Cuban coast.
The shells of this animal have a nearly perfect bilateral symmetry, as well as greater consistency or hardness.
Species: alatus Isognomon (berries) and risophoras Crassostrea (oyster)
They are two species of bivalves that normally inhabit the roots and branches of certain semi-aquatic plant species such as mangrove, muddy low funds, forming colonies .
species: Anadara lienosa, Phacoides pectinatus and Tellina radiata
also inhabit the Cuban coast. In the case of Tellina radiata: their wealth is relative and adult forms of the latter reaching up to 7 cm from the limbus to the edge of the valve.
mollusks, in general, are very sensitive to climate change, a factor which may affect to some extent their common habitat.
The exploration is carried to the mouth of the river Zaza, we find that many of the shellfish that are eaten by the natives of the water supply are currently represented in this area of \u200b\u200bmangrove, which proves, moreover, provenance of that material. Crustaceans
three species are collected in this group: Cardisoma guanhumi (blue crab), Geocarcinus rurícola (red crab) and Callinectes sp. (Crab). The collection is for "fingers" belonging to the clips of these animals.
Species: Cardisoma guanhumi
is land and generally living near the coast. It is the largest of terrestrial species. Remarkably abundant during the spawning season (April to May).
Species: Geocarcinus rurícola
is land and generally living near the coast.
In some localities it is toxic and is also smaller, with a crustacean preferred by Cuban natives.
Species: Callinectes sp.
lives in the waters of our rivers and streams.
is currently little used as an edible species.
These crustaceans were readily available and can, in many cases, capturárseles hand or a single branch.
................................................ ........[ end of the Second Part ]................................... ...............
note: In our next post and finally, we will present the discussion and conclusions of this research on food waste, which provided valuable information related to the economic activities of the Aboriginal community, among others.
Copyright: James F. Silva Reinaldo García Pérez Jiménez
Orlando Alvarez de la Paz Pérez Rojas Leonardo
Until next:
This work is licensed under a Creative
Commons.
email: aguilasdeanaga@gmail.com
