2002 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
Experimental Study of Taphonomical Process of Animal Remains, Especially Molluscs in Shell Midden
| Project/Area Number |
11680169
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
Cultural property science
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| Research Institution | Natural History Museum and Institute, Chiba |
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Principal Investigator |
KUROZUMI Taiji Natural History Museum and Institute, Chiba, Department of Zoology, Senior Curator, 動物学研究科, 研究員 (80250140)
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| Project Period (FY) |
1999 – 2002
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| Keywords | environmental archaeology / molluscs / Ryukyu Islands / shell midden / paddy field / material for shell artifact / land hermit crab / taphonomy |
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| Research Abstract |
In the present study, I conducted analysis of two types of experimental shell middens at subtropical Okinawa-jima Island and excavations of shell midden.
First type of experimental shell midden made on empty shell in the 2 mm mesh baggage, and set on limestone secondary forest. Many types of "remains" such as buttons and beads that are different shape and weight put on each shell middens. After 3 years, experimental shell middens were excavated. "Remains" were deferent mode of depositions according to size of matrix shells and character of remains. This phenomena were caused by activity of soil animals, such as millipedes and terrestrial isopods.
Second type of experimental shell midden made on shell at the coastal area to evaluate the activity of soil animals. Large operculated snail shells, Turbo, had used on land hermit crabs, Coenobita, and were moved from the experimental shell midden. This evidence would be occur on prehistoric shell middens because excavated number of operculums of Turbo had be higher than shells. Comparison of number and composition of soil animals to clean shells and shells including rotten meat were not different. Therefore, soil animals will use the shell midden to shelter.
Analysis of vertical changes of species composition and abundance of shells were made on archaeological sits of sandy dune. Shells were divided four groups, middle to large edible species, small non edible species, large terrestrial species and minute terrestrial species. Three types of vertical changes to four groups were recognized, middle to large edible species, minute terrestrial species and others. Two factors, dumping the edible shells and depositing the other groups on shell midden would exist the formation of animal remains on shell midden.
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[Journal Article] Mollusca2003
Author(s)
Kurozumi T.
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Journal Title
The Flora and Fauna of Inland Water in the Ryukyu Islands, In Nishida, M. et (eds.), Tokai Daigaku Shuppan Kai, Tokyo(in Japanese)
Pages: 167-180
Description
「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
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