Testudines Batsch, 1788 from the Awá-Guajá Collection, state of Maranhão, Brazil

Abstract

A faunal assemblage from discard deposits of the Awá-Guajá community, located in the Brazilian Amazon region (State of Maranhão), was examined from the taphonomic and taxonomic points of view in order to better understand the active processes (physical and anthropic ones) involved in its formation. The main focus of the research was the Testudines, one of the most common vertebrates found in the Awá-Guajá collection. The analysed material was the result of hunting by the community and consisting of 4834 bone parts, including carapaces and plastrons, as well as appendicular and axial bones in different levels of preservation and evidence of human activity. Three species were identified: Rhinoclemmys punctularia, Chelonoidis denticulata, and Chelonoidis carbonaria. The material showed several characteristics that indicate its use for food purposes, such as cuts in regions between the carapace and the plastron and evidence of burning.