New insights into the domestication process of south American camelids at Telarmachay (Peru) from 9,000 to 4,500 years before present (BP)

The domestication process of South American Camelid (SAC) is still poorly understood despite its major role in the history of Andean societies. This study is aimed at documenting the elusive process of intensification in human and SAC interactions at the key site of Telarmachay (Peru), between 9.0–8.0 and 3.7–3.1 Kyr BP. We assessed taxonomic identification and intraspecific morphological modifications using talus bone 3D geometric morphometrics (GM), associated with stable isotope analysis of bone collagen (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) and dental palaeodemography, to track changes in animal diet, environmental setting and culling practices. The talus bone 3D GM documents more than 5,000 years of morphological changes suggesting intensification of vicuña, and possibly guanaco, population management between 6.4–6.0 and 5.8–4.5 Kyr BP, but does not support phenotypic divergence towards alpaca and llama domestic phenotypes. Comparative stable isotope analysis across the Puna ecozones shows that the changes in human and SAC interactions at Telarmachay were not driven by major modification of the camelid environment and diet. This study highlights the need for multiproxy bioarchaeological approaches to study the domestication process as an elusive, nonlinear multispecies process shaped by trial and error, environmental contingencies, and unintended consequences. • This study reconstructs over 5,000 years of human–South American camelid (SAC) interactions using an integrated approach. • Our findings reveal early management intensification of vicuña herds at Telarmachay between 6.4–6.0 and 5.8–4.5 Kyr BP. • No phenotypic shift from vicuña/guanaco to alpaca/llama found, challenging traditional Andean domestication narratives. • Early human–camelid interactions involved gradual social integration, not strict confinement or controlled diets. • This study reveals the unique, non-linear early phases of Andean camelid domestication, often overlooked in research.