Coastal Shell Middens Research Articles

Focus: sulphur isotope variation in archaeological marine fauna from northern Europe

We undertook combined stable carbon, nitrogen and sulphur isotope analysis of marine and terrestrial faunal remains from two prehistoric coastal shell middens in Denmark. The aim of the investigation was to establish whether sulphur isotopes were useful in discriminating terrestrial and marine consumers in this region. We found that sulphur isotopes do separate marine and terrestrial fauna but, contrary to our expectations, we observed a negative correlation between δ 34S and δ 13C values for marine fauna. We conclude that similar studies over a broader geographical range are needed before sulphur isotopes can be reliably used to study coastal resource exploitation.

Archaeological evidence of intestinal parasites from coastal shell middens

Shell midden sediment from Canada's Pacific coast has yielded consistent and quantifiable evidence of human intestinal parasitism. Auger samples from pre-contact settlements have produced evidence of as many as four parasite genera, including fish tapeworm ( Diphyllobothrium spp.) and human roundworm ( Ascaris lumbricoides). The methods of parasite extraction were non-complex, replicable and non-invasive. This project demonstrates the practicality of soil testing throughout a range of archaeological features and encourages the standard curation of culturally deposited soils for the purpose of archaeoparasite recovery.

Prehistoric marine mammal hunting in context: two western North American examples

AbstractThe analysis of a particular type of fauna, such as marine mammals, is best understood when all categories of fauna represented are studied. Detailed analysis of a portion of an assemblage, while interesting, can contribute to misleading interpretations of prehistoric human behaviour. Faunal assemblages from coastal shell middens in southern California and Oregon provide examples of the analysis of marine mammals and their relative importance in prehistoric subsistence, economy, and culture change. While marine mammals were important for subsistence and comprise a high proportion of the bones identifiable to the species level in these assemblages, these animals were less important than fish and shellfish in the diet and probably played a limited role in culture change in these regions. Previous studies that suggest a central role for marine mammals in cultural evolution in western North America provide minimal information on other fauna, and use limited analytical methods. Quantification methods that require species level identification (such as minimum number of individuals [MNI]) can exclude much of the faunal data available from dense coastal middens, and may over emphasize some portions of the assemblage, notably large mammals. Analysis at taxonomic levels higher than species and use of several quantification techniques, including meat weight estimates, may help alleviate some of these methodological problems and lead to a better understanding of the role of marine mammals in prehistoric economies. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Diet, Body Size, and Landscape Use among Holocene People in the Southern Cape, South Africa

Diet, Body Size, and Landscape Use among Holocene People in the Southern Cape, South Africa

Diet, Body Size, and Landscape Use among Holocene People in the Southern Cape, South Africa

Diet, Body Size, and Landscape Use among Holocene People in the Southern Cape, South Africa

Coastal morphodynamics and the archaeological record: Further evidence from Upstart Bay, North Queensland

The principal aim of research at Upstart Bay, on the northeast Queensland coast, is to document the impact of tropical cyclones and concomitant storm surge on the coastal archaeological record. Baseline surveys at Upstart Bay in 1987 were followed by two cyclones in 1988 and 1989. The devastating impacts of these cyclones on coastal shell middens have been described in detail (Bird 1992). Annual surveys at Upstart Bay over the past seven years have highlighted the often dramatic changes which can occur in the archaeological record as a result of dynamic coastal geomorphic processes. Â Â

The susceptibility and/or resilience of Rocky Littoral molluscs to stock depletion by the indigenous coastal people of Transkei, Southern Africa

Coastal shell middens accumulated by indigenous people in the Nqabara/Human's Rock area of Transkei were analysed to obtain information on species and size preferences. These data are compared with analyses of middens resulting from a controlled exploitation experiment within the adjacent Dwesa Nature Reserve. Preferred prey items included the brown mussel Perna perna, the abalone Haliotis spadicea, the turban shell Turbo sarmaticus and various patellid limpets. Information on the life history characteristics and habitat preferences of these species has been used to predict whether or not a given shellfish population is likely to be susceptible or resilient to stock depletion as a result of traditional gathering practices. Perna perna and Patella oculus appeared to be the species most susceptible to depletion. Despite the improverished state of exploited populations there appears to be no evidence of recruitment failure. The persistence of these stocks is probably dependent on reproductive output from exploited populations and on larval immigration from adjacent refuge populations. Provided there is no change in gathering methodology, adequate replenishment of these stocks should be maintained.

Prehistoric Shellfish Preservation and Storage on the Northeast Coast

Recently, there has been an exchange in the archaeological literature of the Northeast coast regarding the interpretation of some Northeastern coastal shell middens as resulting from the intensive exploitation and preservation of shellfish resources. This article examines both sides of this exchange critically. It is concluded that, while the ethnohistoric evidence supports interpretations of prehistoric preservation and storage, archaeological evidence for these practices will be difficult to discern.

The recent prehistoric exploitation of edible mussel in Aboriginal shell middens in southern New South Wales

A striking but hitherto poorly documented feature of many coastal shell middens in southern New South Wales is the relatively high proportion of edible mussel Mytilus edulis planulatus in their uppermost layers. Poiner (1971) noted an increase in mussel in the upper layers of several shell middens near Sydney, but the phenomenon was particularly remarked upon by Bowdler (1970, 1976) for a site she excavated at Bass Point (Fig. 1). Bowdler recorded an abrupt change to mussel as the dominant shellfish species in the uppermost layers of this midden and proposed a cultural explanation for the change. In terms of both coastal physiography and ecology, the southern coastal region of New South Wales extends over 1000 km from the Hunter River to Mallacoota (Fig. 1). Edible mussel occurs throughout this region (Hum 1970), with the northern limit of its range occurring at Wallis Lake, less than 100 km north. Of about 500 stratified rock platform or estuarine shell midden deposits investigated in this region during a study by Sullivan (1982) at least 20% clearly demonstrated a recent increase in the proportion of edible mussel. Sullivan (1982) observed that this change was widespread but variable in its nature and timing. In some sites edible mussel became the dominant shellfish species in terms of midden volume, but in many others where it did not achieve dominant proportions it made up an appreciable component only of the most recent midden layers. In some middens mussel remained an insignificant component throughout, but nowhere did it decline proportionally in the most recent layers. In some sites the change to mussel was abrupt whereas in others it was gradual. The change, while not synchronous, apparently occurred within the time period between about 1200 and 700 years BP. In this paper causes of the recent prehistoric change to edible mussel are examined. The answer relies essentially on an assessment of the degree to which environmental or cultural factors, or a combination of these, were responsible. On balance the ecological, archaeological and chronological evidence favours cultural rather than environmental explanations.

Shell midden deposits as coastal resources

Abstract This paper presents data on the exploitation of coastal shell middens within the framework of formation and transformation processes for this type archaeological deposit. The extensive use of shell middens worldwide for agricultural, construction, and commercial purposes indicates that the archaeological record for past shellfishing cultures may be distorted by secondary sites or complete loss of evidence.

Prehistoric Land Use on Outer Cape Cod

Abstract Preliminary analysis of archeological survey data indicates that prehistoric use of coastal southern New England (represented by outer Cape Cod, Massachusetts) was year-round and more diverse than has been suggested by the traditional emphasis on coastal shell middens. Prehistoric settlement seems to have been concentrated mainly at a few locations with large, intervening unsettled areas. A stratified random sampling strategy allowed estimates of the relative frequency of different kinds and magnitudes of activities in and between the intensively settled sections. Quantitative analysis of the lithic assemblages and structural characteristics of discovered sites permitted inferences about the kinds and intensity of prehistoric activities.

Coastal Shell Middens in the Paternoster Area, South-Western Cape

Coastal Shell Middens in the Paternoster Area, South-Western Cape

A Report on Circular Stone Features Associated with Coastal Shell Middens at Cape St. Francis

A Report on Circular Stone Features Associated with Coastal Shell Middens at Cape St. Francis