Abstract
Excavations in 1928 at the Binjai Tamieng shell midden in Northeast Sumatra brought to light a small assemblage of animal- and human remains that has never been studied in detail. The analysis of these Early Holocene finds suggests that besides mollusks and fish, a number of larger vertebrates played a role in the palaeoeconomy of the site. The composition of Binjai Tamieng has a somewhat similar signature to sites from Southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia. Testudine and artiodactyl remains are predominant in the vertebrate assemblage, while other species such as crocodile and a small cetacean were probably opportunistically hunted or scavenged. Animal bone was probably also used for the manufacturing of tools. Javan- and possibly Sumatran rhinoceros are present on the site. A number of human remains show traces of disarticulation and may be indicative of complex funerary rituals or cannibalism.
Highlights
This paper is concerned with a collection of vertebrate remains recovered from a shell midden in Northeast Sumatra
The composition of the animal remains from Binjai Tamieng is in many ways similar to that found in a number of Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene sites from Borneo and the Thai-Malay Peninsula
Our findings suggest that Binjai Tamieng probably was an estuarine exploitation site where people made optimal use of available resources
Summary
A few fragments in the collection showed traces of bone working. A large number (82) of these fragments were identified as the remains of catfish (Siluriformes indet.). A relatively large portion of the mammals (44 fragments) consisted of remains of different species of Artiodactylae.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
