Geochemistry of Bivalve Shells As Indicator of Shore Position of the 2nd Century BC

Bibliographic Data

ID6095693
AuthorsVincent Mouchi (0000-0002-4344-0511, Institut des Sciences de la Terre de Paris), Laurent Emmanuel (0000-0001-9905-3986, Institut des Sciences de la Terre de Paris), Vianney Forest (Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives), André Rivalan (Archéologie des Sociétés Méditerranéennes)
Year2020
Volume6
Pages4
Publication date2020-01-24
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueOpen Quaternary (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2055-298X • E-ISSN: 2055-298X
PublisherUbiquity Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.5334/oq.65
OpenAlexW3002425598
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited35

In an area named Mermian (municipality of Agde, South of France), a significant amount of fragmented italic amphorae from the 2nd century BC was discovered, located at a depth of 6 to 8 meters under the bed of the Hérault river. As no ship wreck was found in the vicinity, the reason of the presence of these amphora fragments, whose faces present a large accumulation of oyster shells, is unknown. Reconstructed geomorphological maps of the area present Mermian as a riverine site already at this period, and several hypothetical explanations on the role of these amphorae exist (landfill linked to a neighbouring habitat, bank reinforcement linked to a ford crossing, river landing, etc.). In order to define whether the amphorae were transported to this location and from where, we analysed the stable carbon and oxygen isotopes of the oyster shells. The δ13C and δ18O indicate that all oysters lived in the same environment, refuting a potential transport during the oyster accumulation. Moreover, the analysis of Mytilaster sp. shells in the sediment around the oyster shells also reported a marine origin, suggesting that these oysters were also buried in a marine deposit. Transport to Mermian from a coastal locality is unlikely but may still have happened, although no trace of human handling were observed on the fragments. Still, the presence of other marine or brackish molluscs in the sediment discards the interpretation of Mermian being a continental locality

Geochemistry · Position (finance · Shore · Chemistry · Geology and Paleoclimatology Research · Isotope Analysis in Ecology · Marine and environmental studies · Geology · Oceanography

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