Introduction: A 35 km Journey Across the Sea
Imagine transporting large animals across a 35 km stretch of ocean in small boats. This is exactly what the inhabitants of Isla Mocha had to do to bring camelids to their island. But where did these animals come from, and why were they so important?
The Importance of Animal Translocation
Animal translocation has been an essential human strategy for centuries, allowing people to transport livestock for food, trade, and cultural practices. The case of the chilihueques demonstrates the significance of this practice in pre-Columbian South America.
“Live animals are transported for numerous reasons including as future food resources, for their by-products, or for their cultural/spiritual or ritual importance.” (Westbury et al., 2016)
Tracing the Origins of the Chilihueques
The genetic evidence recovered from the chilihueques suggests that they were most likely domesticated guanacos from southern Chile. Phylogenetic analyses show that the chilihueques grouped closely with modern guanaco populations from Southern South America.
“Our data highlights the capability of ancient DNA to answer questions about extinct populations which includes species identity, potential translocation events and origins of founding individuals.” (Westbury et al., 2016)
The Cultural Significance of Camelids
These camelids were more than just a source of meat and wool; they played a vital role in the spiritual and cultural practices of the island's inhabitants. It is believed that they were used in ritual sacrifices and only eaten during special occasions.
“It is generally accepted that they were culturally important, used for ritual sacrifice, with the meat only consumed on special occasions.” (Westbury et al., 2016)
Conclusion: A Challenging Voyage
The journey of the chilihueques from the mainland to Isla Mocha was no easy feat, but it underscores the deep connection between humans and animals in ancient South American societies. In our final post, we’ll examine the legacy of the chilihueques and what their extinction means today.
And our final blog in this series is: What Happened to the Chilihueques? The Legacy of a Lost Species
Acknowledgements: Thank you to Keith Payne for sharing the document that guided this series
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