Molluscs in archaeology: methods, approaches and applications

Description

The subject of 'Molluscs in Archaeology' has not been dealt with collectively for several decades. This new volume in Oxbow's 'Studying Scientific Archaeology' series addresses many aspects of molluscs in archaeology. It will give the reader an overview of the whole topic; methods of analysis and approaches to interpretation. It aims to be a broad based text book giving readers an insight of how to apply analysis to different present and past landscapes and how to interpret those landscapes. PrefaceList of contributorsAcknowledgements Molluscs in Archaeology an introductionMichael J. Allen and Bas Payne Part 1: Palaeo-environments environment and land-useTerrestrial habitats, contexts and landscapes 1. Land snails in archaeology Michael J. Allen2. The geoarchaeology of context sampling for land snails (on archaeological sites and colluvium)Michael J. Allen3. Numerical approaches to land snail palaeoecologyMatt Law 4. Molluscs and the palaeo-environment of coastal blown sand and dunesThomas Walker 5. Molluscs from machair-dune systems: archaeological site formation processes and environmental change Matt Law and Nigel Thew 6. Caves and molluscs Chris O. Hunt and Evan A. Hill Wetlands and Fresh- and Brackish-water 7. Molluscs from the floodplain alluvial sediments in the Thames ValleyMark Robinson 8. Wetlands freshwater and slum communitiesTerry O'Connor Palaeo-environmental reconstruction: Europe, the Mediterranean and Near East9. The southern English chalklands: molluscan evidence for the nature of the post-glacial woodland cover Michael J. Allen10. (Some thoughts on) using molluscs for landscape reconstruction and ecology in Malta Michael J. Allen and Bri Eastabook11. Molluscan remains from Early to Middle Holocene sites in the Iron Gates reach of the Danube, Southeast EuropeCatriona Pickard, Adina Boroneant and Clive Bonsall12. Land Mollusc middensVictoria K. Taylor and Martin Bell Marine and Food and Diet13. Marine molluscs from archaeological contexts how they can inform interpretations of former economies and environments Liz Somerville, Janice Light and Michael J. Allen14. Oysters in archaeology Jessica Winder15. Shell middensKaren Hardy16. The collection, processing and curation of archaeological marine shells Greg Campbell Artefacts 17. Shell ornaments, icons and other artefacts from the eastern Mediterranean and LevantJanet Ridout-Sharpe18. Molluscan shells as raw materials for artefact production Katherine Szabo19. How strong is the evidence for purple dye extraction from the muricid gastropod Nucella lapillus (L. 1758), from archaeological sites in Britain and Ireland?Janice Light and Thomas Walker20. Marine shells as artefacts? a cautionary tale of natural wear and tear as compared to resourceful anthropogenic modification processes Janice Light Science and Shells21. Bivalves and Radiocarbon Ricardo Fernandes and Alexander Dreves22. Radiocarbon dating of marine and terrestrial shell Katerina Douka 23. Stable Isotope ecology of terrestrial gastropod shellsAndre Carlo Colonese Index