Diet and Provisioning in the High Andes: A Spanish Colonial Settlement on the Outskirts of Potosí, Bolivia

Once silver was discovered in the mountain of Cerro Rico, the large urban center of Potosí, Bolivia flourished. Situated at almost 4000 m (13,000 ft) above sea level in the eastern cordillera of the Andes mountains, provisioning the region was very challenging. A study of zooarchaeological remains associated with elite Spanish colonial residents living on the outskirts of Potosí in Tarapaya indicates that wealthy inhabitants were able to procure meat sources that strongly reflect Iberian rather than Andean food habits while material culture strongly reflects local influence. Provisioning the mining community with food overcame obstacles of distance, elevation, and spoilage.