Strengthening the evidence for seasonal intertidal exploitation in Mesolithic Europe and new insights into Early Holocene environmental conditions in the Bay of Biscay from the oxygen isotope composition of Phorcus lineatus (da Costa, 1778) shells
García-Escárzaga, Asier (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals)
León-Cristóbal, Alejandro (Universidad de La Rioja. Departamento de Ciencias Humanas)
Álvarez-Fernández, Esteban (Universidad de Salamanca)
Colonese, Andre Carlo (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals)
Arrizabalaga, Alvaro (Universidad del País Vasco. Departamento de Geografía)
Iriarte-Chiapusso, María José (Universidad del País Vasco. Departamento de Geografía)
Iriarte, Eneko (Universidad de Burgos)
Fano, Miguel Ángel (Universidad de La Rioja. Departamento de Ciencias Humanas)

Date:	2025
Abstract:	Marine molluscs have been exploited by human societies since prehistoric times. Such practices have often resulted in large accumulations of shell remains in archaeological sites that offer unique information on biological, ecological and cultural aspects of human interaction with coastal systems in the past. In this study, stable oxygen isotope (δ18O) analysis was carried out on archaeological shells of Phorcus lineatus (da Costa, 1778) from the Mesolithic shell midden site of J3 (northern Iberian coast) to determine the seasonality of intertidal collection. The results indicate a consistent pattern of winter exploitation, supporting the emerging view that collections were governed by cost-benefit and management principles that are now widespread documented in other coastal Mesolithic sites in Europe. The consistent seasonal collections of P. lineatus during colder months can be taken as evidence of specie-specific management strategy to optimize yield while preserving local populations for future exploitation. Our results reinforce the view that European hunter-gatherers developed ecological knowledge on specific animal resources that persisted over large geographic areas. Additionally, from a palaeoenvironmental perspective, the sea surface temperatures (SST) inferred from δ18O values derived from mollusc shells (SSTδ18O) indicate that coastal marine waters during the Early Holocene in the southern Bay of Biscay were warmer than those observed today. These environmental conditions are evaluated in relation to changes in insolation and ocean currents over time.
Note:	Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UAB
Note:	Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-M
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Atlantic façade ; Coastal hunter-gatherers ; Northeast Atlantic ; Sea Surface Temperatures ; Seasonality ; Shell middens ; Subsistence strategies
Published in:	Palaeogeography, palaeoclimatology, palaeoecology, Vol. 659 (2025) , art. 112624, ISSN 0031-0182

DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2024.112624

10 p, 4.8 MB

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles