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Quantifying spatial variability in shell midden formation in the Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia
Niklas Hausmann1,2, Matthew Meredith-Williams2,3, Katerina Douka1
1Max-Planck-Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany.
Plos One
|June 13, 2019
Summary
Archaeological shell midden sites on the Farasan Islands reveal distinct shoreline and post-shore locations. Shoreline sites were for processing, while inland sites served as habitations, influenced by sea-level changes.
Area of Science:
- Archaeology
- Paleoenvironmental Studies
- Geoarchaeology
Background:
- Over 3000 shell middens discovered on the Farasan Islands, dating from 7,360 to 4,700 years ago.
- Sites are located along ancient shorelines (2-3m above current sea level) and inland (post-shore sites).
Observation:
- Hypothesis: Shoreline sites for shell processing/consumption; post-shore sites for habitation.
- Analysis of 55 radiocarbon dates and shell quantities from 15 excavated sites.
- Significant differences in shell accumulation rates between shoreline and post-shore sites.
Findings:
- Sea-level fluctuations selectively impacted shoreline sites.
- Demonstrated differences in shell accumulation rates between site types.
- Identified taphonomic factors influencing shell deposit preservation and visibility.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of taphonomy, accumulation rates, and distance from paleoshorelines in interpreting shell deposits.
- Suggests that overlooking these variables can compromise understanding of shell food's role in human evolution.
- Provides a framework for interpreting coastal shell-matrix deposits globally, from the Pleistocene onwards.
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