Oysters as geoarchaeologic objects

Crassostreine oysters have unutilized potential in analyses of coastal archaeological sites. Intertidal vs. subtidal harvesting may be determined by an examination of shell characters, and the culling of samples recognized through scrutiny of valves or shells collected dead. the season of live shell gathering may be estimated via a ligament growth model. Possible human uses of oysters include foodstuffs, agricultural and building materials, implements, ornaments, objects of curiosity, and in the manufacture of ceramics. Use as implements or ornaments is unlikely, and criteria exist to add strength to interpretations of other uses. Oysters faithfully replicate their substrate on left valve attachment areas and may yield evidence of distinctive, otherwise unrecognizable, archaeological features. Ideas herein developed for the southeastern United States may be extended to other geographic regions through appropriate data gathering processes.