Geochemistry of Bivalve Shells As Indicator of Shore Position of the 2nd Century BC

Open Quaternary

Vianney Forest¹  Vincent Mouchi²  Laurent Emmanuel²  André Rivalan³ 

[1] INRAP-Méditerranée, UMR 5068, TRACES, Toulouse;Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR 7193, ISTeP, F-75005, Paris;Université Paul Valéry–Montpellier 3, CNRS UMR 5140, ASM, Montpellier;

关键词: 'ostrea edulis';    oyster shell;    stable isotope;    biomineralisation;    mermian;    archaeology;   

DOI  :  10.5334/oq.65

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

In an area named Mermian (municipality of Agde, South of France), a significant amount of fragmented italic amphorae from the 2nd century BC was discovered, located at a depth of 6 to 8 meters under the bed of the Hérault river. As no ship wreck was found in the vicinity, the reason of the presence of these amphora fragments, whose faces present a large accumulation of oyster shells, is unknown. Reconstructed geomorphological maps of the area present Mermian as a riverine site already at this period, and several hypothetical explanations on the role of these amphorae exist (landfill linked to a neighbouring habitat, bank reinforcement linked to a ford crossing, river landing, etc.). In order to define whether the amphorae were transported to this location and from where, we analysed the stable carbon and oxygen isotopes of the oyster shells. The δ13C and δ18O indicate that all oysters lived in the same environment, refuting a potential transport during the oyster accumulation. Moreover, the analysis of 'Mytilaster' sp. shells in the sediment around the oyster shells also reported a marine origin, suggesting that these oysters were also buried in a marine deposit. Transport to Mermian from a coastal locality is unlikely but may still have happened, although no trace of human handling were observed on the fragments. Still, the presence of other marine or brackish molluscs in the sediment discards the interpretation of Mermian being a continental locality.

【 授权许可】

Unknown