Abstract
The study of faunal remains from archaeological sites is based on qualitative and quantitative data that contribute to our understanding of the consumption of animal protein, environment, and lifestyle often goes beyond understanding daily activities. Indeed, faunal remains in archaeological sites vary among societies, as choices are both availability and culturally defined. Here I discuss available faunal data from shell mounds in the Babitonga Bay, in conjunction with the presence of pottery in some of their archaeological layers. Forte Marechal Luz, Enseada I, Bupeva II and Itacoara sites have pottery and two different stratigraphic horizons. The results show some interesting differences in taxa and quantity of the animal remains, when the different layers of the same site and between sites are compared. I discuss cultural identity and diversity of the prehistoric dwellers living in the Babitonga Bay, in the light of a relatively late introduction of ceramics that affected less than 10% of the shell mounds in the area.
Highlights
The study of faunal remains from archaeological sites is based on qualitative and quantitative data that contribute to our understanding of the consumption of animal protein, environment, and lifestyle often goes beyond understanding daily activities
Recent research indicated that fish and not the mollusks was the base of the diet among the shell mound populations (Figuti, 1993)
Vertebrate remains in Enseada I shell mound (Bandeira, 1992) are four times more frequent in the upper, ceramic-bearing layer
Summary
The study of faunal remains from archaeological sites is based on qualitative and quantitative data that contribute to our understanding of the consumption of animal protein, environment, and lifestyle often goes beyond understanding daily activities. Babitonga Bay and São Francisco do Sul Island, located at the north of Santa Catarina State, South of Brazil are two of these regions where about 150 shell mounds have been identified (Figure 1).
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