Exploitation Of Coastal Resources Research Articles

UPAYA YANG DILAKUKAN PADA MASYARAKAT PESISIR MENGENAI EKSPLOITASI MASYARAKAT DI DESA BIANGKEKE KECAMATAN PA’JUKUKANG KABUPATEN BANTAENG

This research aims: 1). To find out and explain the efforts of coastal communities, especially fishermen, regarding community exploitation of coastal resources in Biangkeke Village, Pa'jukukang District, Bantaeng Regency. This research will be carried out in Biangkeke Village, Pa'jukukang District, Bantaeng Regency. This research basically describes and analyzes phenomena. social activity events, attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, thoughts of people individually and in groups. The development of coastal community institutions based on local resources will increase community participation in decision making and monitoring of resource potential management. Thus it will better guarantee the continuity of increasing income and preserving its resources. The method used is descriptive with a qualitative approach, which has natural characteristics (natural setting) as a direct, descriptive data source. The focus of the research is fishermen. This research basically describes and analyzes phenomena. social activity events, attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, thoughts of people individually and in groups. Solving problems that exist in research requires in-depth, regular and continuous investigation, in order to find out how the research steps should be. This is very important in the research process that is carried out in a planned and systematic manner. The results of this study indicate that 1). Counseling was held related to coastal areas, location utilization and land conversion in coastal areas right on the shoreline from residential areas to access for fishing boats to obtain natural resource products. 2.) Form farmer groups to empower coastal areas to plant seaweed seeds. 3.) Empowerment as a process of developing, becoming self-sufficient, self-help, strengthening the bargaining position of the grassroots community against pressure forces in all fields and sectors of life. An independent society as a participant means an open space and capacity to develop creative potential, control the environment and its own resources, solve problems independently, and participate in determining the political process in the realm of the state. The community participates in the process of development and governance.

Hunter-gatherers in labyrinth karst: An Early Holocene record from Gunung Sewu, Java

Gua Mandung is an inland prehistoric site in Gunung Sewu karst area of central Java, Indonesia. This area is rich in valleys and corridors which make up Gunung Sewu's distinct labyrinth-like landscape. For Java, Gunung Sewu is known to have a relatively harsh environment with limited access to permanent water sources and a short wet season. However, here we report evidence of occupation at the site of Gua Mandung since at least 11,073 cal BP. An abundance of terrestrial fauna remains alongside numerous bone tools with differing functionalities suggests that these early cave dwellers applied well-developed subsistence strategies to maximise the available resources. Gua Mandung records continuous exploitation of small to large terrestrial fauna including monkeys, porcupine, deer, pig, cattle, rat, snake, and monitor lizard. The site's proximity to nearby lakes and a ∼ 5 km walk to the coast also provided Gua Mandung's early inhabitants with secondary aquatic resources such as fish, freshwater shells, marine shells, barnacles, crab, and sea urchin. Based on our findings from the Gua Mandung excavation, and in comparison with surrounding archaeological sites, coastal resource exploitation appears to have been a common, albeit more minor, subsistence strategy employed by the early inland communities of the Gunung Sewu karst area.

Surf and turf. Animal resources in the human diet in Cantabrian Spain during the Mesolithic (11.5 – 7.5 Ky cal. BP)

The beginning of the Holocene involved a series of climatic and environmental changes that affected the ways of life of the last hunter-gatherers. In the case of the Spanish Cantabrian region, these changes transformed the material culture and the way human groups interacted with the environment and, therefore, the subsistence strategies of the end of the Upper Pleistocene. In terms of the use of faunal resources, this period was characterised by an increase in the exploitation of coastal resources, mainly molluscs, but also crustaceans and echinoderms, which make up the so-called “shell middens”, while at the same time the percentage of macromammals was reduced and animals considered to have a “low energy range” were introduced into the diet. In this paper we assess the role played by each of these animal resources in the subsistence of Mesolithic human groups, determining their nutritional contribution and establishing a prey ranking based on the caloric intake of each resource. For this purpose, we collected archaeofaunal data from 14 sites from recent archaeological excavations with levels dated between ca. 11.5 and 7.5 ky cal BP in which the consumption of vertebrates and invertebrates is documented. At each of these sites we analysed diversity, homogeneity and species richness using Simpson's and Shannon's indexes, as well as the effective numbers of species for terrestrial and coastal resources, assessing the relationship between the two. With the palaeoecological and palaeoeconomic data from these archaeological sites (most of them located in caves), we estimate the weight that the different animal resources consumed by the last hunter-gatherer communities of the Cantabrian region had in their diet.

Innovative Homo sapiens behaviours 105,000years ago in a wetter Kalahari.

The archaeological record of Africa provides the earliest evidence for the emergence of the complex symbolic and technological behaviours that characterize Homo sapiens1-7. The coastal setting of many archaeological sites of the Late Pleistocene epoch, and the abundant shellfish remains recovered from them, has led to a dominant narrative in which modern human origins in southern Africa are intrinsically tied to the coast and marine resources8-12, and behavioural innovations in the interior lag behind. However, stratified Late Pleistocene sites with good preservation and robust chronologies are rare in the interior of southern Africa, and the coastal hypothesis therefore remains untested. Here we show that early human innovations that are similar to those dated to around 105thousand years ago (ka) in coastal southern Africa existed at around the same time among humans who lived over 600km inland. We report evidence for the intentional collection of non-utilitarian objects (calcite crystals) and ostrich eggshell from excavations of a stratified rockshelter deposit in the southern Kalahari Basin, which we date by optically stimulated luminescence to around 105ka. Uranium-thorium dating of relict tufa deposits indicates sporadic periods of substantial volumes of fresh, flowing water; the oldest of these episodes is dated to between 110 and 100ka and is coeval with the archaeological deposit. Our results suggest that behavioural innovations among humans in the interior of southern Africa did not lag behind those of populations near the coast, and that these innovations may have developed within a wet savannah environment. Models that tie the emergence of behavioural innovations to the exploitation of coastal resources by our species may therefore require revision.

Socioeconomic vulnerability of communities on the Brazilian coast to the largest oil spill (2019–2020) in tropical oceans

This article aims to identify the socioeconomic vulnerability of establishments located on the Northeast coast of Brazil, affected by the most extensive oil spill (2019/2020) ever recorded in tropical oceans. To this end, we used secondary data to map locations soiled with oil and search for a concentration of commercial establishments and other institutions located close to these territories. From this information, we built a vulnerability indicator, with three segments: enterprises or institutions related or not to the Ocean Economy, their levels of proximity to oil stains, and persistence, in days, of pollution on the coast. In all, we mapped 53,472 establishments. As for the main research findings, mapping showed the two most vulnerable sectors - accommodation services and the food sector, which are essential for the functioning of the tourism production chain and the food security. Yet, the measurement of the vulnerability index disclosed a wide variation in the indices among states in the same region, related to coastal extension, ineffective strategic actions to fight stains, dependence on an economy strongly focused on the exploitation of coastal resources, or by social factors deficiencies.

Shell sclerochronology and stable oxygen isotope ratios from the limpet Patella depressa Pennant, 1777: Implications for palaeoclimate reconstruction and archaeology in northern Spain

Stable oxygen isotope ratios of mollusc shells (δ18Oshell) offer the possibility to reconstruct coastal resource exploitation patterns and changes in the oceanographic conditions of direct relevance to past human populations. This method relies on the fact that shell carbonate is deposited by molluscs in equilibrium with their surrounding environment and actualistic investigation of modern specimens is needed to ensure that selected species can be used as accurate palaeoclimate indicators. The limpet Patella depressa Pennant, 1777 is one of the most common mollusc species found in Holocene archaeological assemblages along the Atlantic coast of Europe. However, this taxon has not, to date, been tested as a seawater palaeothermometer. Here, we explore the ability of P. depressa to be used as an environmental recorder in this littoral region, specifically in northern Iberia where we obtained live-collected specimens throughout the year. We undertook sclerochronological investigations combining observations of incremental shell growth patterns with δ18Oshell values. Carbonate samples were taken on (i) the ventral margins of shells collected alive year-round in order to test for isotopic equilibrium and (ii) along the axis of maximum shell growth of four modern specimens to decipher the shell growth pattern of this species. Isotopic data showed that calcium carbonate is precipitated in predictable isotopic disequilibrium with the ambient seawater (R2 = 0.95; p < 0.0001), reporting a consistent offset of +1.08‰. Some periods of growth cessation were observed in the shells when thermal tolerances were exceeded in winter and occasionally in summer. Nevertheless, estimated seawater temperatures from modern shell δ18Oshell values agreed closely with instrumentally measured temperatures (R2 = 0.88–0.93; p < 0.0001) and correctly reflected seasonal temperature patterns. As a result, multi-proxy analysis of P. depressa shells can provide a high-resolution palaeothermometer with significant implications for future palaeoclimate and archaeological studies along the Atlantic coast of Europe.

Socioeconomic Determinants of Mangrove Exploitation and Seagrass Degradation in Zanzibar: Implications for Sustainable Development

The concept of “sustainability” has become the current answer to absolving the world of its environmental and economic crises in the 21st century. This paper analyses seven socioeconomic factors (age of household head, household average annual income, marital status of household head, gender of household head, household size, education level of household head, and period of residence of household head) influencing extreme degradation of seagrass and exploitation of mangrove resources in Zanzibar, Tanzania. To accomplish this, Participatory Rural Appraisal approaches and household questionnaire survey were used to obtain information on primary data. Multiple regression analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data while content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. The findings revealed that all the socioeconomic variables tested were statistically significant (P&lt;0.05) and had an influence on the exploitation of mangrove and degradation of seagrass except gender of the household (P=0.88) and household annual average income (P=0.655), respectively. In addition, statistical analysis revealed that there was significant difference in the mangrove status between the sites (p= 0.0001, χ2 =27.27) with more exploitation at Charawe compared to Kibele village, whereas no significant differences were revealed in the status of seagrass between the two sites (p= 0.2693, χ2 =1.2202). On one hand, the findings revealed that at Kibele and Charawe 60% and 50% practice gleaning, 40% and 55% are engaged in seaweed farming, and 60% and 70% collect bait from seagrass meadows, respectively. All these activities had direct influence on seagrass status. On the other hand, the finding revealed that livelihood needs, population growth, level of education, and lack of alternative source of income are the key drivers to exploitation of coastal natural resources especially mangrove and seagrasses. To ensure sustainable exploitation of coastal resources alternative livelihood activities such as farmed fish, small/petty business, and agriculture activities that are profitable and easy to manage should be introduced to the local coastal community to enhance active participation in conserving resources and improving their livelihood.

Statistical Modelling of Significant Wave Height: Inshore and Offshore Bonny River Estuary, Nigeria

The selection of best – fit probability distribution is of fundamental importance in the design, planning, and operability studies for harbours, coastal and offshore structures and exploitation of coastal resources. A wrong choice of probability distribution could lead to either under – or over – estimation of design loads, which may have detrimental impacts on safety and project economy. Consequently the Inshore and Offshore wave data of Bonny River estuary, Nigeria was studied by fitting Rayleigh, 2- parameter Lognormal, Fisher – Tippett Type 1(FT-1), 2-parameter and 3-parameter Weibull probability distributions using probability paper method. The probability distributions were subjected to five model evaluation metrics; coefficient of determination (R 2 ), demeaned RMSE, normalizedRMSE, Scatter index (SI) and Performance scores index(d 1 ) and a scoring scheme was adopted on the basis of which the best – fit probability distribution for either Inshore of Offshore was selected. The results show that 2-parameter Lognormal distribution is the best –fit probability distribution for the Inshore station, seconded closely by Fisher – Tippett Type 1 and 3- parameter Weibull distributions. The results also show that Fisher – Tippett Type 1 is the best – fit probability distribution for the offshore station seconded closely by 3 – parameter Weibull distribution. This study will contribute to the development of the coastal zone and also a recipe for Integrated Coastal Zone Management of the Nigerian Gulf of Guinea. Key words : Bonny river estuary, goodness of fit tests, integrated coastal zone management, significant wave height, probability distribution models. DOI : 10.7176/CER/11-4-08 Publication date :May 31 st 2019

Long-term Trends in Terrestrial and Marine Invertebrate Exploitation on the Eastern African Coast: Insights from Kuumbi Cave, Zanzibar

The nature and trajectory of coastal and maritime adaptations, and the complex ways foraging economies have been structured to include both marine and terrestrial resources, are becoming key topics of interest in African archaeological research. There is, therefore, an increasing need to understand the longer-term context for more recent shifts in coastal economies, and for greater attention to be paid to the role of a broader spectrum of resources. This is particularly the case for terrestrial and marine molluscs, which have been somewhat overlooked in discussions centered on past economies in the region. The relative importance of these comparatively small-bodied faunal resources requires evaluation, particularly given their ubiquity within the archaeological record, and their potentially important contribution to dietary and economic practices. Kuumbi Cave, located in the southeast of Zanzibar (Unguja) Island, provides the ideal opportunity to investigate long-term trends in invertebrate use on the eastern African coast and islands. Here we discuss not only the trajectory of coastal resource exploitation and coastal economic adaptations in the region from the late Pleistocene, but also the significance of Kuumbi Cave as one of the few sites in eastern Africa that represents significant levels of exploitation of large terrestrial gastropods.

STRATEGI ADAPTASI KEARIFAN LOKAL MASYARAKAT NELAYAN TERHADAP PERUBAHAN EKOSISTEM PESISIR ACEH

This study includes the importance of maintaining local wisdom by fishing communities in the face of adaptation to the impact of ecosystem changes on Sabang Island. Through deepening of the literature review, in-depth interviews, observations, and focus group discussions were conducted with local fishing communities in the coastal area of Sabang Island, finally found some research results that made reference to the adaptation strategies that fishermen community carried to the impact of ecosystem changes through local wisdom. The results show that Sabang Island fishermen communities who have felt the impact of ecosystem changes such as mangrove damage, coral reefs due to exploitation of coastal resources and natural disasters can achieve the success of solving the problem in several ways either through knowledge about adaptation made by fishing communities obtained from academic knowledge, or through knowledge that has been entrusted in a downward manner known as local wisdom. Therefore, fisherman adaptation strategies in addressing the impacts of ecosystem change follow a pattern of reactive adaptation, they tend to use capabilities from within the community. This adaptation pattern is carried out by developing job diversification, modifying the fleet of boats and taking action with the community in rehabilitating damaged ecosystems and the role of commander laot to the fishermen in arranging the time of catching with the natural sign through the knowledge of inheritance as local wisdom that needs to be maintained all the time. Keyword: Fisherman Society, Adaptation, ecosystem change, local wisdom.

Global long-term observations of coastal erosion and accretion

Changes in coastal morphology have broad consequences for the sustainability of coastal communities, structures and ecosystems. Although coasts are monitored locally in many places, understanding long-term changes at a global scale remains a challenge. Here we present a global and consistent evaluation of coastal morphodynamics over 32 years (1984–2015) based on satellite observations. Land losses and gains were estimated from the changes in water presence along more than 2 million virtual transects. We find that the overall surface of eroded land is about 28,000 km2, twice the surface of gained land, and that often the extent of erosion and accretion is in the order of km. Anthropogenic factors clearly emerge as the dominant driver of change, both as planned exploitation of coastal resources, such as building coastal structures, and as unforeseen side effects of human activities, for example the installment of dams, irrigation systems and structures that modify the flux of sediments, or the clearing of coastal ecosystems, such as mangrove forests. Another important driver is the occurrence of natural disasters such as tsunamis and extreme storms. The observed global trend in coastal erosion could be enhanced by Sea Level Rise and more frequent extreme events under a changing climate.

Shells and Humans: Molluscs and Other Coastal Resources from the Earliest Human Occupations at the Mesolithic Shell Midden of El Mazo (Asturias, Northern Spain)

Human populations exploited coastal areas with intensity during the Mesolithic in Atlantic Europe, resulting in the accumulation of large shell middens. Northern Spain is one of the most prolific regions, and especially the so-called Asturian area. Large accumulations of shellfish led some scholars to propose the existence of intensification in the exploitation of coastal resources in the region during the Mesolithic. In this paper, shell remains (molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms) from stratigraphic units 114 and 115 (dated to the early Mesolithic c. 9 kys cal BP) at El Mazo cave (Asturias, northern Spain) were studied in order to establish resource exploitation patterns and environmental conditions. Species representation showed that limpets, top shells and sea urchins were preferentially exploited. One-millimetre mesh screens were crucial in establishing an accurate minimum number of individuals for sea urchins and to determine their importance in exploitation patterns. Environmental conditions deduced from shell assemblages indicated that temperate conditions prevailed at the time of the occupation and the morphology of the coastline was similar to today (rocky exposed shores). Information recovered relating to species representation, collection areas and shell biometry reflected some evidence of intensification (reduced shell size, collection in lower areas of exposed shores, no size selection in some units and species) in the exploitation of coastal resources through time. However, the results suggested the existence of changes in collection strategies and resource management, and periods of intense shell collection may have alternated with times of shell stock recovery throughout the Mesolithic.

An Economic History of the Maritime Woodland Period in Port Joli Harbour, Nova Scotia

Abstract Five seasons of survey and excavation in Port Joli Harbour, NS, Canada, have resulted in a high-resolution archaeofaunal sample from 2 contrasting shell-bearing sites: AlDf-24, and AlDf-30 (Jack's Brook). In this paper, we discuss the evidence for differences in mollusk-, fish-, and mammal-harvesting strategies between contemporaneously occupied sites. Furthermore, we highlight shifts in Mi'kmaw exploitation of coastal resources around the Middle to Late Maritime Woodland transition (ca. 1300 cal B.P.). Finally, we present insights regarding shellfish-harvesting strategies and site seasonality from isotopic analysis of softshell clam (Mya arenaria) shells. In the process, we construct a history of human—animal relationships in Port Joli, and reveal crucial similarities and important differences with Wabanaki economic strategies in adjacent regions.

Découverte d’un site palafitte de l’âge du bronze ancien dans la lagune d’Alepou (municipalité de Sozopol, département de Burgas), Bulgarie

A new pile-dwelling settlement has been discovered during coring investigations on the shores of the Alepu lagoon (municipality of Sozopol, department of Burgas), on the western Black Sea coast, in Bulgaria. A multi-disciplinary methodology was applied to analyze the archaeological dataset, composed of wood piles, abundant charcoals and wood fragments, seeds, fish and shell remains, a few small bone fragments, some lithic fragments and potsherds. The piles were trimmed from oak trees and sunk into lagoonal muds, and currently lie 5.8 to 6.8 m below mean sea level. It highlights a wooden building at the edge of Alepu palaeo-lagoon. Charcoal remains confirm the use of oak tree as a dominant timber resource, consistent with pollen data for this period. Palaeo-botanic remains highlight gathering activities and the consumption of wild grapes, raspberries and figs. The herbaceous assemblage evokes deforestation activities. Exploitation of coastal resources is well attested by the great density of fish remains, dominated by anchovy (61%), highlighting possible preservation of fish products. Five radiocarbon dates constrain the age of the site to between 3350 and 3000 cal. BC.The Alepu piles-dwelling settlement sheds new light on the very beginning of the Early Bronze Age in coastal Bulgaria. Adding fresh information to the local archaeological record, it completes the well-discussed issue of the protohistoric submerged settlements, revealing in turn the economic strategies of the societies at the end of the transitional period. Considerations about geomorphological settings of these sites underline the evolution of the regional settlement patterns, as well as the importance of lagoonal locations. Lagoon contexts not only offer abundant fish resources, as attested by our data from Alepu, but also good conditions for anchorage. These sites were later drowned, preserved and buried following the relative rise of the Black Sea level.

Return rates from intertidal foraging from Blombos Cave to Pinnacle Point: Understanding early human economies

The south coast of South Africa provides the earliest evidence for Middle Stone Age (MSA) coastal resource exploitation by early Homo sapiens. In coastal archaeology worldwide, there has been a debate over the general productivity of intertidal foraging, leading to studies that directly measure productivity in some regions, but there have been no such studies in South Africa. Here we present energetic return rate estimates for intertidal foraging along the southern coast of South Africa from Blombos Cave to Pinnacle Point. Foraging experiments were conducted with Khoi-San descendants of the region, and hourly caloric return rates for experienced foragers were measured on 41 days near low tide and through three seasons over two study years. On-site return rates varied as a function of sex, tidal level, marine habitat type and weather conditions. The overall energetic return rate from the entire sample (1492 kcal h−1) equals or exceeds intertidal returns reported from other hunter-gatherer studies, as well as measured return rates for activities as diverse as hunting mammals and plant collecting. Returns are projected to be exceptionally high (∼3400 kcal h−1 for men, ∼1900 kcal h−1 for women) under the best combination of conditions. However, because of the monthly tidal cycle, high return foraging is only possible for about 10 days per month and for only 2–3 h on those days. These experiments suggest that while intertidal resources are attractive, women and children could not have subsisted independently, nor met all their protein-lipid needs from marine resources alone, and would have required substantial additional energy and nutrients from plant gathering and/or from males contributing game.

Économie préhistorique des îles bretonnes (France) : apports des industries lithiques du Néolithique récent et final

L’économie d’un territoire insulaire est un thème encore peu exploré sur la façade Manche-Atlantique, et ce plus spécialement dans le cadre de l’installation des sociétés agropastorales et de leurs dynamiques d’approvisionnement. Aborder une recherche de cet ordre implique une série de questionnements (Audouard, 2014) : – les ressources des îles, à la fois limitées (surface exploitable réduite, gestion cynégétique complexe) et diversifiées (ressources terrestres et maritimes) ont-elles entraîné des adaptations économiques et sociales ? ; – les populations ont-elles dépassé les contraintes de leur environnement grâce à un dynamisme de contacts et d’échanges ? L’industrie lithique se présente comme un média pertinent pour aborder les modalités d’approvisionnement en matières premières et examiner l’importance des roches importées. Cette recherche portera sur la période du Néolithique récent-final, cette dernière s’affirmant comme une phase où l’exploitation des ressources littorales semble rationnalisée et où les échanges avec le continent attestent de situations inégales entre les îles de la mer d’Iroise et les îles atlantiques. En effet, l’examen de l’industrie lithique de différents sites de la péninsule bretonne (de l’archipel de Molène à Belle-Île-en-Mer) indique une surexploitation des galets de silex côtiers, dont la diminution de la taille depuis le début du Néolithique en serait la conséquence. Cette surexploitation des ressources locales se double d’un faible appel à l’importation, les roches exogènes n’étant que peu représentées dans les assemblages. Sur ce point, nous verrons que toutes les îles ne sont pas forcément isolées des échanges avec le continent, et que la proximité avec les marges sédimentaires du Massif armoricain joue un rôle déterminant. Nous évoquerons la multiplication sur les îles et îlots des sites spécialisés tels que les amas de débitage et les sites à perçoirs abondants. Les caractéristiques observées feront l’objet de comparaisons avec les données disponibles sur les proches sites continentaux, et d’interroger l’impact de l’insularité sur leur émergence.

EVALUACIÓN DE AMENAZAS ANTROPOGÉNICAS EN ECOSISTEMAS DE PLAYA EN SAN ANDRÉS, UNA ISLA PEQUEÑA DEL CARIBE SUROCCIDENTAL

In this paper we present the assessment of the main threats to beach ecosystems arising from their use in San Andrés, a small oceanic island in the Caribbean. To determine each threat and its pressure level on the ecosystem, we applied surveys and, based on social cartography methods, we obtained perception maps with relative threat magnitudes for each use, from very low to very high. The results suggest that the current economic model of San Andrés, almost totally dependent on massive tourism, may increase pressure intensities to the beach ecosystems due to increased pollution, urban development, land reclamation and exploitation of coastal resources. Tourists, the motor and benefiiaries of this socio-ecosystem, may be affected by these tensors, discouraging them to visit again the island. It is recommended to include in the island´s management plans new legislations to minimize the impacts of beach use on this ecosystem.

Water quality assessment using water quality index and geographical information system methods in the coastal waters of Andaman Sea, India

Seawater samples at 54 stations in the year 2011–2012 from Chidiyatappu, Port Blair, Rangat and Aerial Bays of Andaman Sea, have been investigated in the present study. Datasets obtained have been converted into simple maps using coastal water quality index (CWQI) and Geographical Information System (GIS) based overlay mapping technique to demarcate healthy and polluted areas. Analysis of multiple parameters revealed poor water quality in Port Blair and Rangat Bays. The anthropogenic activities may be the likely cause for poor water quality. Whereas, good water quality was witnessed at Chidiyatappu Bay. Higher CWQI scores were perceived in the open sea. However, less exploitation of coastal resources owing to minimal anthropogenic activity indicated good water quality index at Chidiyatappu Bay. This study is an attempt to integrate CWQI and GIS based mapping technique to derive a reliable, simple and useful output for water quality monitoring in coastal environment.

Landscape Evolution and Human Settlement in the Iroise Sea (Brittany, France) during the Neolithic and Bronze Age

The Molène archipelago appears to be particularly rich in Neolithic and Bronze Age remains and an exceptional concentration of megaliths has been brought to light. Several settlements are confirmed by dry-stone structures or by shell middens. These data give precious indications on the occupation chronology of the area. Moreover they allow us, for the first time in Brittany, to reconstruct everyday life during the late Prehistoric period. A prerequisite to this reconstruction was a better understanding of the evolution of the environment during this period, which locally implies a better knowledge of paleogeographic changes related to Holocene sea-level rise as well as on floral and faunal resources.The results obtained through paleogeographic reconstructions show that the archipelago since 4500bcwas already disconnected from the mainland. The megalithic monuments must therefore have been erected and used by islanders present on the archipelago from the middle of the 5th to the 2nd millenniumbc. The distribution of the megalithic tombs reveals landscape occupation strategies which respond to both cultural choices and natural constraints. Throughout the entire period, geographic isolation has continued to increase, although it did not imply strong cultural specificities. Nevertheless, the increasing remoteness of the islands has fostered the search for livelihoods based on the intense exploitation of coastal resources. Despite their focus on the sea, these people did not neglect what inland areas could offer as evidenced by the early agro-pastoral practices in the archipelago.

Diet and mobility in a late neolithic population of coastal oman inferred from radiocarbon dating and stable isotope analysis

In Oman, the presence of highly productive marine environments, coupled with relatively limited land resources, have led to intense exploitation of coastal resources, but the question of the seasonality of occupation of coastal sites remains open. Our aim is to evaluate the contribution of marine resources to the diet of the Neolithic population of Ra's al-Hamra 5 (RH-5) to shed new light on its mobility, using stable isotopes and radiocarbon ((14)C) dating as dietary tracers. Charcoal, shell, human bone and enamel apatite from eight contemporary graves were sampled. Graves are thought to provide the best chance to obtain marine and terrestrial remains that were contemporary with the human remains in order to calculate the marine reservoir effect (MRE) for this period. Inter-individual variation in human bone apatite δ(13)C value is small, suggesting a homogenous diet. Bone apatite (14)C ages are very close to the shell ages while enamel is significantly younger and plots near the charcoal ages. Older enamel ages were obtained when a stronger acetic treatment was used, demonstrating that the young ages are due to diagenetic alteration rather than a diachronic change in diet and that only bone apatite retained in vivo dietary signals. Bone ages indicate a heavy reliance on marine resources and it is therefore unlikely that the individuals analyzed here were leaving the coast seasonally, although mobility along the coast cannot be excluded.