Thermal Influences on Shells: an Archaeological Experiment from the Tropical Indo‑pacific

Annette Oertle (Corresponding author), Katherine Szabó

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

Thermal influences on marine molluscs are poorly understood across all disciplines, including archaeology. This presents potential issues for further analysis including radiocarbon dating and stable isotope analysis, as well as hindering our understandings of processing and preparation methods for shell in the past. Different methods of burning or heating may not always leave visual signs on a shell; however, a variety of structural and chemical changes may take place. Here, we present an experimental study using modern-day shells of five tropical marine species designed to explore how various thermal interventions modified shells in terms of microstructure (scanning electron microscope) and mineralogy (X-ray diffraction). We found distinct differences between the taxa using varied temperatures and durations, with shell microstructure playing a key role in responses to thermal stresses. This study highlights the importance of acknowledging this variation, both when structuring research as well as seeking to interpret archaeological shell remains.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)536-564
Number of pages29
JournalJournal of Archaeological Method and Theory
Volume30
Issue number2
Early online date6 Jul 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2023

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 106021 Marine biology
  • 601003 Archaeology
  • 105404 Geomorphology

Keywords

  • Thermal alteration
  • Shell microstructure
  • Experimental Archaeology
  • Microscopy
  • BEHAVIOR
  • NACRE
  • CAPE
  • IDENTIFICATION
  • ORGANIC MATRIX
  • MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES
  • FEATURES
  • FIRE
  • BIVALVIA
  • Experimental archaeology
  • ARAGONITE

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