Reconstructing Seasonality at the Burns Site (8BR85), Cape Canaveral, Florida using δ18O Stable Isotope and Zooarchaeological Analyses

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Understanding patterns of localized environmental change in the past can provide valuable insight into modern environmental patterns, as well as comparative options for modern day environmental planning. This research analyzes Donax variabilis associated with the Burns Mound Site (900 to 1600 CE), located on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station along the Atlantic Coast of Central Florida. Samples were taken along growth lines of 12 D. variabilis shells from multiple levels of the site. Results show high δ18O values, particularly in the terminal edge of shell growth, correlated with time of harvest. Increasing ratios 18O to 16O indicate colder, dryer conditions, which today are found during the months of October through March, in particular the winter months of January through March. This correlates with a site occupation of at least the fall and winter. Additionally, δ18O values suggest surface water was on average cooler during site occupation than it is today. Further zooarchaeological analysis will contextualize the isotopic analysis and seasonality observations. Understanding how local environmental conditions differ between site occupation and present can help to inform conservation ideas and better explain cultural practices such as resource use and site habitation.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 40343.0