Midden

Conchero al sur de Puerto Deseado

Whaleback Shell Midden gully - 20070722 07986

TurtleMound1970 FPS1191

八千三百多年前南島語族祖先的遺跡

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圓山遺址2

Midden refers to a dump for domestic waste. The term is used particularly to describe the heaps of shells left near the settlements of prehistoric peoples, who consumed a significant amount of shellfish and other marine animals. Over time, middens have become important to archaeology and anthropology for the insights they offer into the diets, habits, and economic activities of past human societies.

Definition

A midden, in its broadest sense, is any domestic waste site. However, in archaeological terms, it specifically denotes prehistoric refuse heaps composed largely of shell, bone, pottery fragments, stone tools, and other artifacts and ecofacts associated with past human occupation. These sites can vary greatly in size and composition, depending on the cultural and environmental context.

Formation and Composition

Middens form over time as the result of repeated disposal of waste materials by human communities. The composition of a midden is directly related to the lifestyle and environment of its creators. For example, shell middens, also known as kitchen middens or shell heaps, are primarily found along coastlines or in areas where shellfish were a significant part of the diet. In contrast, middens in inland areas might contain more bone fragments from hunted animals, seeds, and remains of agricultural produce.

Archaeological Significance

Middens are of great interest to archaeologists because they contain a wealth of material evidence about past human life and environments. Analysis of the materials found in middens can reveal what people ate, the tools and utensils they used, and even the seasonality of their diet and activities. Furthermore, by studying the layers of a midden, archaeologists can reconstruct a chronological sequence of human occupation and environmental changes over time.

Challenges in Study

The study of middens presents several challenges. The organic materials often found in middens, such as bone and shell, can be subject to degradation over time, making them difficult to analyze. Additionally, the interpretation of the data obtained from middens requires careful consideration of the context in which the materials were deposited and preserved.

Conservation

Middens are considered valuable cultural and archaeological resources. In many cases, they are protected under heritage conservation laws to prevent their destruction by development or looting. Conservation efforts aim to preserve these sites for future research and for the education of the public about human history and prehistory.

See Also

• Archaeology
• Anthropology
• Shell midden
• Refuse disposal