EVALUATING MOBILITY, MONUMENTALITY, AND FEASTING AT THE SAPELO ISLAND SHELL RING COMPLEX

Part of the Sapelo Island project

Author(s): Victor D. Thompson; C. Fred T. Andrus

Year: 2008

Summary

Two of the most salient anthropological questions regarding Southeastern shell ring sites are related

to the season(s) that they were occupied and whether or not the deposits represent monumental

constructions and/or feasting remains. This paper addresses these questions through the analysis

growth band of clams (Mercenaria spp.) and stable oxygen isotope ratios of clam and oyster shells

(Crassostrea virginica) at the Sapelo Island Shell Ring complex located on the Georgia coast, USA. The season of death of individual specimens and their position in the shell matrix at Sapelo provides

important information on the rate of shell deposition and the season(s) the site was occupied. These

data support the view that at least some portion of the population at Sapelo occupied the site yearround. Additionally, while it appears that two shell rings at the site formed through the gradual

deposition and accumulation of daily subsistence, other areas evidence feasting activities and may

lend credence to the view that at some point shell rings become monuments, commemorating rituals

and gatherings.

Cite this Record

EVALUATING MOBILITY, MONUMENTALITY, AND FEASTING AT THE SAPELO ISLAND SHELL RING COMPLEX. Victor D. Thompson, C. Fred T. Andrus. 2008 ( tDAR id: 372303) ; doi:10.6067/XCV8Z89B8S

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

Keywords

Culture
Prehistoric

Material
Dating Sample • Shell

Site Name
Shell Ring Complex

Site Type
Archaeological Feature • Shell Ring

Investigation Types
Archaeological Overview • Environment Research • Historic Background Research • Methodology, Theory, or Synthesis

General
Isotope Analysis

Spatial Coverage

min long: -81.312; min lat: 31.374 ; max long: -81.151; max lat: 31.564 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Rachel Black

File Information

  Name Size Creation Date Date Uploaded Access
thompson_andrus.pdf 6.40mb Nov 30, 2011 11:51:32 AM Confidential

Accessing Restricted Files

At least one of the files for this resource is restricted from public view. For more information regarding access to these files, please reference the contact information below

Contact(s): Rachel Black