Peering into the unseen: Novel methods in identifying shell taxa from archaeological micro-fragments

Annette Oertle, Katherine Szabó, Sibongiseni Gaqa, Hayley Cawthra, Irene Esteban, Justin Pargeter, Erich Fisher

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

Archaeomalacological analysis is generally undertaken on recovered macro-remains to characterize the overall composition of faunal remains in a deposit. Given the susceptibility of shell middens to a variety of taphonomic
processes, it is assumed that the prior presence of shell in deposits may therefore occasionally be missed. Deteriorated micro-remains can mix indistinguishably into surrounding sediments and make their analyses and
identification difficult, particularly in older deposits and in environments that experience rapid rates of weathering. This paper explores whether microscopic remains of deteriorated molluscs can be distinguished from other microscopic remains at the coastal rock shelter site of Waterfall Bluff in Mpondoland, South Africa. The methodology uses a multi-scalar approach integrating shell mineralogy and microstructure using the taxonomic
distinctiveness of these features. The diagnostic features (e.g., morphology, hinges, spires, and apertures) used for identifying macro-remains are absent in micro-remains, therefore unique methods of identification are needed to identify these microscopic mollusc fragments. Through mineralogical analyses and scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging, the nacreous remains of Mytilidae shell were identified from previously unidentified degraded shell remains as well as sediment samples from Waterfall Bluff. These methods thus recovered
‘invisible’ evidence of shellfish remains providing further evidence of continued coastal foraging from Marine Isotope Stage 3 to the early Holocene (ca or ⁓ 40 ka to 10 ka) on the south-eastern African coast.
Original languageEnglish
Article number105667
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Archaeological Science
Volume147
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2022

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 107009 Archaeozoology
  • 107010 Geoarchaeology
  • 601003 Archaeology

Keywords

  • Shell Taphonomy
  • Geoarchaeology
  • Microscopic methodologies
  • South Africa
  • Shell taphonomy
  • SOUTH-AFRICA
  • SITE
  • MICROMORPHOLOGY
  • COMBUSTION FEATURES
  • TAPHONOMIC ANALYSIS
  • IDENTIFICATION
  • TIERRA-DEL-FUEGO
  • SEA LEVELS
  • BAY
  • CAPE PROVINCE

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