Distant provenance of archaeological dogs in Chiapas confirms complex trade networks within Mayan societies

This study investigates the origin, exchange and diet of archaeological dog specimens of highland Chiapas, located on the western Maya frontier, historically well-known for its overland trade routes and merchant activity. We developed a new strontium isoscape for the Maya area based on random forest regression, using a compilation of bioavailable 87 Sr/ 86 Sr from North America augmented by 45 new bioavailable 87 Sr/ 86 Sr samples from plants collected in a transect across central Chiapas. We analyzed the 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios of archaeological specimens of large herbivores and dogs from the Maya archaeological sites of Moxviquil and Tenam Puente radiocarbon-dated to the Middle/Late Classic periods (400–800 CE). At both sites, we found that large herbivores were consistent with a local origin and likely represent locally hunted wild animals. Most dog specimens, however, had 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios inconsistent with a local origin and δ 13 C and δ 15 N values suggestive of distant origins and specialized dietary regimes. Our findings support the existence of broad live animal exchanges during the Classic period between Maya cities extending across the Maya region and reaching highland Chiapas.