Santander, February 19th-22nd 2008 - Aranzadi

Archaeological shell middens and shellfish gathering on La Gomera island (Canary Islands, Spain)
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cation and quantification of the different taxa present,
taking into account the different categories of
fragmentation. In a second stage, the state of conservation
of the remains was evaluated, identifying
the taphonomic processes, both of natural and manmade
origin, which had affected the conservation of
the finds. Thus, it was found that the shells from caves
were in a better state of conservation than those
which had been in the open air, exposed to the weathering
and erosional processes.
It was also possible to observe the existence of
two very different assemblages of malacological
remains. First, the one which had its origin in the
processing and consumption of shellfish, which
generated a whole series of remains and waste
shell material left over after consumption, being
present in these cases taphonomic evidence such
as shells affected by fire. Similar remains have
been registered in domestic and funerary contexts,
although they are most commonly found in
the shell middens. By contrast, there is another
malacological assemblage related to the elaboration
of instruments and objects of “decoration” or
clothing accessories (Fig. 4), the aesthetic and
symbolic value of which is not pertinent to the present
study. Nevertheless, it is worthy of note that
the totality of these objects has been found in
domestic and funerary contexts, being notably
absent in the shell middens. This fact supports the
hypothesis regarding the main function of these
sites, linking them with shellfish processing for clearly
nutritious purposes.
3.3 Stage 3: Zoogeographic study (shellfish biological
analysis)
The characteristics of the habitats where the
shellfish are gathered and the oceanographic conditions
which determine the productive capacity of
the waters, can be divided into two clear coastal
areas around La Gomera, coinciding approximately
with the north and south sectors of the island.
La Gomera´s coastline and sea floor have
special characteristics directly related to the erosive
processes which have taken place since the
last eruptions almost 3 million years ago. These
conditions have meant that in the north there is a
clear predominance of coastal cliffs, and less
important wide, stone beaches (Fig.5) and shallow
rock platforms (Fig.6). The most exposed nor-
Figure 5. Big pebbles beach or “callao”, Lepe (Hermigua).
Figure 4. Pendant made from shell (Conus sp.)
Figure 6. Shallow rock platform of Arguamul (Vallehermoso).
MUNIBE Suplemento - Gehigarria 31, 2010
S.C. Aranzadi. Z.E. Donostia/San Sebastián