The function of Late Archaic period (5000-3000 B.P.) shell rings has been a focus of debate among... more The function of Late Archaic period (5000-3000 B.P.) shell rings has been a focus of debate among archaeologists for decades. These rings have been variously interpreted as a product of seasonal feasting/ceremonial gatherings, quotidian food refuse generated by permanent dwellers, or a combination of seasonal and perennial activities. Seasonality of shell rings can be assessed by reconstructing the harvest time of oysters (Crassostrea virginica), the primary faunal component of shell rings. We estimated the timing of oyster harvest at St. Catherines Shell Ring (Georgia, USA) by statistical modeling of size frequency distributions of the impressed odostome (Boonea impressa), a parasitic snail inadvertently gathered by Archaic peoples with its oyster host. The odostome samples from three archaeological excavation units were evaluated against resampling models based on monthly demographic data obtained for present-day populations of Boonea impressa. For all samples, the harvest was unlikely to start earlier than late fall and end later than late spring, indicating that shell deposits at St. Catherines Shell Ring formed seasonally with substantial harvesting activities restricted to non-summer months. For all samples, the resampling models indicated that harvesting activities likely occurred during multiple months. However, these analytical outcomes would also be expected in the case of extensively time-averaged records of short-term, non-summer harvest events. Regardless of the exact harvest duration, the results point to seasonal harvesting and suggest that Archaic populations may have opted out of consuming summer oysters to focus on other resources, avoid unpalatable food, decrease pathogen risks, or ensure sustainable harvesting.
The site of Kaminaljuyu in the Valley of guatemala dominated the politics and economics of the so... more The site of Kaminaljuyu in the Valley of guatemala dominated the politics and economics of the southern highlands of the maya during the middle and later Preclassic periods. The site therefore lies at the heart of several important discussions about early settlement, politics, and economics in the maya highlands. This paper presents the analysis of animal remains recovered in the core of the site during excavations by the Proyecto Arqueológico Parque Kaminaljuyu. The importance of other lacustrine/terrestrial fauna from the site surroundings highlights a reliance on locally available fauna despite the importance of dog. Comparison with previous animal remain studies conducted in the site provides a clearer picture of animal use by the residents of Kaminaljuyu and the ancient environs of the site. our findings shed light on the use of local and nonlocal animals, both domestic and wild, in ritual and daily life. furthermore, the spatial and chronological distribution of domestic-dog remains suggests an important role for dogs at this site that is in keeping with Preclassic assemblages in other lowland and coastal areas. We argue that dogs may have been an important elite commodity during this early period of political expansion. our results highlight the value of detailed contextual information in revealing differences in animal use by various members of the community. The highland guatemalan site of Kaminaljuyu is notable for its early and lengthy occupation (1200 BCe to 900+ Ce), its extensive connections throughout the maya world, and its monumental mud-brick or adobe constructions, elaborate stone artwork, and rich burials. located in the Valley of guatemala and today lying under part of modern gua-temala City, the site covers some five square kilometers and originally included over 200 mud-brick platforms and pyramidal mounds (figure 1). several recent excavations at the site of Kaminaljuyu have provided 381
The function of Late Archaic period (5000-3000 B.P.) shell rings has been a focus of debate among... more The function of Late Archaic period (5000-3000 B.P.) shell rings has been a focus of debate among archaeologists for decades. These rings have been variously interpreted as a product of seasonal feasting/ceremonial gatherings, quotidian food refuse generated by permanent dwellers, or a combination of seasonal and perennial activities. Seasonality of shell rings can be assessed by reconstructing the harvest time of oysters (Crassostrea virginica), the primary faunal component of shell rings. We estimated the timing of oyster harvest at St. Catherines Shell Ring (Georgia, USA) by statistical modeling of size frequency distributions of the impressed odostome (Boonea impressa), a parasitic snail inadvertently gathered by Archaic peoples with its oyster host. The odostome samples from three archaeological excavation units were evaluated against resampling models based on monthly demographic data obtained for present-day populations of Boonea impressa. For all samples, the harvest was unlikely to start earlier than late fall and end later than late spring, indicating that shell deposits at St. Catherines Shell Ring formed seasonally with substantial harvesting activities restricted to non-summer months. For all samples, the resampling models indicated that harvesting activities likely occurred during multiple months. However, these analytical outcomes would also be expected in the case of extensively time-averaged records of short-term, non-summer harvest events. Regardless of the exact harvest duration, the results point to seasonal harvesting and suggest that Archaic populations may have opted out of consuming summer oysters to focus on other resources, avoid unpalatable food, decrease pathogen risks, or ensure sustainable harvesting.
The site of Kaminaljuyu in the Valley of guatemala dominated the politics and economics of the so... more The site of Kaminaljuyu in the Valley of guatemala dominated the politics and economics of the southern highlands of the maya during the middle and later Preclassic periods. The site therefore lies at the heart of several important discussions about early settlement, politics, and economics in the maya highlands. This paper presents the analysis of animal remains recovered in the core of the site during excavations by the Proyecto Arqueológico Parque Kaminaljuyu. The importance of other lacustrine/terrestrial fauna from the site surroundings highlights a reliance on locally available fauna despite the importance of dog. Comparison with previous animal remain studies conducted in the site provides a clearer picture of animal use by the residents of Kaminaljuyu and the ancient environs of the site. our findings shed light on the use of local and nonlocal animals, both domestic and wild, in ritual and daily life. furthermore, the spatial and chronological distribution of domestic-dog remains suggests an important role for dogs at this site that is in keeping with Preclassic assemblages in other lowland and coastal areas. We argue that dogs may have been an important elite commodity during this early period of political expansion. our results highlight the value of detailed contextual information in revealing differences in animal use by various members of the community. The highland guatemalan site of Kaminaljuyu is notable for its early and lengthy occupation (1200 BCe to 900+ Ce), its extensive connections throughout the maya world, and its monumental mud-brick or adobe constructions, elaborate stone artwork, and rich burials. located in the Valley of guatemala and today lying under part of modern gua-temala City, the site covers some five square kilometers and originally included over 200 mud-brick platforms and pyramidal mounds (figure 1). several recent excavations at the site of Kaminaljuyu have provided 381
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