Why clam? Why clams? Shell Mound construction in Southern Brazil. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Klokler, Daniela; Gaspar, Maria Dulce; Scheel-Ybert, Rita
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 20(2018)
• Page Start: 856
• Page End: 863
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Shell mounds -- Sambaquis -- Zooarchaeology -- Isotopes -- Funerary archaeology; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.06.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Abstract: Bivalve shells comprise a significant portion of shell mounds, so mollusks have always been seen as fundamental to shell mound societies. The importance of these animal resources to shell mound societies in Brazil has been intrinsically connected to diet and subsistence since research began in the 19th century. For nearly 150 years, researchers have considered the faunal assemblages from shell sites as a direct reflection of their builders' meals. Alternate explanations for the presence of mollusks at the mounds were usually disregarded, but results of isotope analyses from human bones are changing the scenario. Incongruences between the assemblages and isotopic analyses compel researchers to rethink the role of the faunal remains deposited in shell sites. Highlights: Diet at shell mound sites from southeastern Brazil was reconstructed from C- and N-stable isotope data. Individuals mean C and N indicate a predominantly marine diet, except at Sernambetiba site. Elevated δ 15 N in most individuals suggest low consumption of mollusks. Results indicate mollusks importance for ritual construction of mounds.