Marine moluscs

Marine shells from the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea were widely used as ornaments by early Neolithic hunter-gatherers as well as sedentary groups in the southern Levant. The marine shells from Shkārat Msaied show a high diversity of species. Most of the shells were used as beads, and rather simple modification techniques were applied. The variation of bead types is quite limited when compared to other sites in the region. From an intra-site spatial analysis of artefacts at Shkārat Msaied it is suggested that shell artefacts are like stone and bone tools stored in communal buildings. Because of the high frequency of marine shells in the building designated to the interment of the dead, they are strongly associated with mortuary practices. Cowrie and Nerita shells were among the favourite types. 

References

Abu-Laban. A. 2014. The use of marine mollusc shells at the Neolithic site Shkarat Msaied, Jordan. In (eds.) Proceedings of the Archaeomalacology Session, 11th ICAZ Conference. BAR Int. Series. 2666: 9-17.

Abu-Laban, A. 2010. Analysis and reconstruction of the use of mollusc shells from the MPPNB site Shkarat Msaied in Southern Jordan. MS thesis, University of Copenhagen.

SM2016 Cowrie shell in unit F

Marine mollusc found at Shkarat Msaied