Cortisol levels in the hair of prehispanic populations of San Pedro de Atacama, Northern Chile Niveles de cortisol en cabellos de poblaciones prehispánicas de San Pedro de Atacama, Norte de Chile

Abstract

Systemic stress in prehispanic populations of San Pedro de Atacama (SPA) during the Middle and Late Intermediate periods was explored through cortisol analysis of hair samples of mummies from these periods. The cortisol levels in the SPA samples were similar to those in samples from present day individuals. This suggests that, in spite of the different environmental and social conditions, prehispanic populations from SPA were not exposed to higher levels of systemic stress than modern populations, possibly due to their long history of occupation and adaptation to the local environment. Individuals from the Middle period showed lower cortisol levels than those from the Late Intermediate period, thus reflecting the differences in the quality of life as shown by osteological markers as well as the cultural and environmental changes associated with the transition from one period to the other. Although cortisol levels in archaeological samples may be affected by a range of factors, they can