This study investigates diet heterogeneity among Chinchorro and Inca adults and subadults living on the northern Chilean coast of the Atacama Desert before and after the introduction of maize cultivation. This is achieved by amino acid carbon isotope analysis and bulk carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur isotope analysis of 1-cm sequential segments of scalp hair from human remains deposited at the funerary sites of Morro 1 and 1–6 (Archaic Period) and Camarones 9 (Late Period).

Results show that Chinchorro adults relied predominantly on marine resources and partially on wild plants. Inter-individual variability in diet was limited, indicating food redistribution between sexes. Childhood and adolescent diets were comparable to those of the adults. Partial breastfeeding was continued up to the age of 2–3 yrs. Subsequently, Inca adults relied on a combination of marine resources and maize. Intra- and inter-individual variability in diet was limited suggesting existence of a centralised system of food procurement and redistribution. Childhood and juvenile diets were comparable to those of the adults, except for two malnourished children being raised on maize.

Amino acid δ¹³C analysis of hair keratin is proposed as a potential tool for reconstructing the nutritional status of an infant without population-specific maternal isotope baseline.

本研究调查了在引入玉米种植之前和之后生活在阿塔卡马沙漠智利北部海岸的 Chinchorro 和印加成人和亚成人的饮食异质性。这是通过氨基酸碳同位素分析和大量碳、氮和硫同位素分析来实现的（后期）。

结果表明，Chinchorro 成虫主要依赖海洋资源，部分依赖野生植物。饮食的个体间差异有限，表明两性之间的食物再分配。儿童和青少年的饮食与成年人的饮食相当。部分母乳喂养一直持续到 2-3 岁。随后，印加成年人依靠海洋资源和玉米的结合。饮食的个体内部和个体间差异有限，表明存在集中的食品采购和再分配系统。儿童和青少年的饮食与成年人的饮食相当，除了两个营养不良的儿童是用玉米养大的。

头发角蛋白的氨基酸δ ¹³ C 分析被提议作为一种潜在的工具，用于在没有特定人群母体同位素基线的情况下重建婴儿的营养状况。