Thermal Influences on Shells: an Archaeological Experiment from the Tropical Indo-pacific
More On Article
- HEAS Seed Grants for June 2026 Announced
- Genomic insights into the Iron Age Saka of Boz-Barmak, Kyrgyzstan
- Paleogenomes reveal the evolutionary relationship between modern and cave lions
- Wind(ow) of change: The end of the Middle Stone Age and the beginning of the Later Stone Age at Umhlatuzana rockshelter showcasing concurrent technological and techno-economic shifts.
- Bone retouchers and end-scrapers side by side at Bushman Rock Shelter: Exploring a ca. 100,000-year-old technological imbrication in southern Africa
Oertle, A., Szabó, K., 2022. Thermal Influences on Shells: an Archaeological Experiment from the Tropical Indo-pacific. Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory.
Abstract
Thermal influences on marine molluscs are poorly understood across all disciplines, including archaeology. This presents potential issues for further analysis including radiocarbon dating and stable isotope analysis, as well as hindering our understandings of processing and preparation methods for shell in the past. Different methods of burning or heating may not always leave visual signs on a shell; however, a variety of structural and chemical changes may take place. Here, we present an experimental study using modern-day shells of five tropical marine species designed to explore how various thermal interventions modified shells in terms of microstructure (scanning electron microscope) and mineralogy (X-ray diffraction). We found distinct differences between the taxa using varied temperatures and durations, with shell microstructure playing a key role in responses to thermal stresses. This study highlights the importance of acknowledging this variation, both when structuring research as well as seeking to interpret archaeological shell remains.