Shellfish and ancient human ecology: an archaeological study from San Miguel Island, California
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Date
2005-06
Authors
Steinberg, Alexis
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Archaeologist and ecologists are increasingly recognizing historical data as an
important source in analyzing human ecological relationships. Archaeology provides a
means for investigating such relationships and islands provide ideal landscapes for
researching human impacts on marine ecosystems. My thesis is based on a 10,000 yearold
record of shellfish harvesting from San Miguel Island, California and analyzes
possible human impacts on California mussel (Mytilus californianus), black abalone
(Haliotis cracherodii), and red abalone (H rufescens) populations. I discuss the
environmental setting, archaeological background, and pertinent ecology of San Miguel
Island, California as it pertains to shellfish and humans. Utilizing shell length
measurements, I examine the human-environment relationship that existed between
island peoples and shellfish communities. I suggest that shellfish harvesting pressures by
the Chumash Indians and their antecedents over the past 10,000 years impacted shellfish
communities by reducing the overall size of shells through time on San Miguel Island,
California.
Description
iii, 41 p. A THESIS Presented to the Department of Anthropology and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Arts, June 2005. A print copy of this title is available through the UO Libraries under the call number: SCA Archiv Steinberg 2005
Keywords
Shellfish -- California -- San Miguel Island