Holocene molluscs from archaeological sites of the Pampean region of Argentina

Approaches to past human uses

Bibliographic Data

ID12134014
AuthorsM Bonomo (0000-0001-8046-4865, Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán, corresponding author), Marina L Aguirre (0000-0002-4002-6032, Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán)
Year2008
Volume24
Issue1
Pages59-85
Publication date2008-12-15
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGeoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0883-6353 • E-ISSN: 1520-6548
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/gea.20254
OpenAlexW1983173915
LanguageEN
Citations received12
References cited18

The aim of this study is to provide a regional review and update our knowledge of molluscan records from Late Quaternary (12.2–0.4 ka B.P.) archaeological sites of the Pampean region. Comparisons with molluscs from the modern littoral, Holocene beach ridges, and estuarine sediments are made, allowing a synthesis of the main taxa recovered and reinterpretations of the probable past human uses. Overall, the biological and archaeological data gathered reinforce the conclusion that most taxa living far from the intertidal zone were not linked to subsistence of Pampean hunter‐gatherers. However, sporadic consumption cannot be discarded, considering the sea‐level changes during the Holocene. Other uses including ornamentation, containers, tools, or symbolic meaning can be assigned to marine molluscs which were probably collected as dead shells from the fossil deposits or from the contemporary beach. Selection of the shells by humans related mainly to shell size, shape, and color, and not to their nutritional value. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Archaeological record · Archaeology · Biology · Fossil Record · Geography · Holocene · Intertidal zone · Littoral zone · Quaternary · Subsistence agriculture · Taxon · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Maritime and Coastal Archaeology · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology · Ecology · Geology · Oceanography · Paleontology

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