This paper examines the synergism among diet, disease, and ecology at two related coastal Maya sites in Belize (Marco Gonzalez and San Pedro) for the Postclassic and Historic periods (1350-1650 AD), which immediately follow the Classic period collapse. Stable carbon- and nitrogen-isotope ratios in collagen and stable carbon-isotope ratios in structural carbonate were analysed for bones from 65 humans and a wide variety of faunal species. There are no apparent differences in whole diets or degree of carnivory between individuals with lesions indicative of anemia and those without, but those with lesions appear to have consumed significantly more C4 foods and protein from lower trophic levels. Non-specific infection (periostitis) and vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) are also present in high frequencies and appear to co-occur with lesions indicative of anemia, particularly in childhood. Individuals with scurvy also appear to have consumed significantly more C4 foods than normal individuals. Spondyloarthropathy is common in adults. These findings are discussed in light of: (1) the debate on how anemia versus scurvy are manifest and diagnosed, (2) Spanish ethnohistoric descriptions of the poor state of Maya health at the time of contact, and (3) the Osteological Paradox. We suggest that although this coastal environment exacerbated morbidity because of possible parasitic infection, the inhabitants were probably able to survive physiological stresses better than either their inland contemporaries or their modern counterparts.

Results are presented from the analysis of human remains excavated from two mortuary structures at the site of Wari of Marayniyoq in the Ayacucho Valley, Peru. Until very recently, Wari mortuary studies were aimed mostly at the analysis of the mortuary structures, paying little attention to the human remains. This study of osteological remains from two Wari mortuary structures revealed not only a large population lived at the site of Marayniyoq, but that the structures held individuals of all ages and both sexes. They conclude that during the Wari reign diverse forms of burial were practiced in the valley, and some were used for generations, resulting in an accumulation of numerous remains in the relatively small mortuary structures. Finally the evidence from Marayniyoq is used to elaborate on the population profile of the deposit, which clearly indicates a high infant mortality rate

Se presentan los resultados del análisis de los restos óseos humanos provenientes de dos estructuras mortuorias excavadas en el sitio Wari de Marayniyoq, del valle de Ayacucho, Perú. Hasta hace poco, las formas de enterramiento Wari fueron discutidas sólo a partir de las estructuras funerarias, prestándose escasa atención a los huesos humanos. Nuestros resultados indican la presencia de una población numerosa, con individuos de todas las edades y ambos sexos. Se concluye que durante el auge de Wari, diversas formas de enterramiento fueron practicadas en este valle; de estas, algunas parecen haber sido utilizadas por varias generaciones, resultando en la acumulación de abundantes restos óseos humanos al interior de estructuras mortuorias relativamente pequeñas. Finalmente, la evidencia proveniente de Marayniyoq se emplea para elaborar un perfil de la población allí depositada, la misma que deja en claro la ocurrencia de una alta mortalidad infantil