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The consumption of seafood by the populations of Islamic Silves (South Portugal)
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Resumo(s)
Malacology is the scientific branch of Invertebrate Zoology dealing with the study of the
Phylum Mollusca. It includes soft-bodied invertebrates and topics such as taxonomy,
systematics, taphonomy, biostratigraphy, evolution, ecology, biogeography, biotic resources,
and human interactions. Applied to Palaeontology and Archaeology, Malacology enables
palaeoecological, palaeoclimatic, and cultural studies and statistical analyses.
The case study focused on the medieval Silves town (Xelb medina; Algarve, southern
Portugal), its Islamic population, and the interactions between humans and edible mollusc rich
environments. It includes aspects such as: food consumption, economy, estuarine biotope
exploitation, and cultural shell usage.
The studied assemblages were collected from a palatial context of the Alcazaba that is
estimated to be occupied from the 6th/7
th century to the 16th century. The sample studied
belongs to different historical periods and consumed by different social levels. The
archaeological campaigns were directed by Prof. Rosa Varela Gomes from the Universidade
NOVA de Lisboa and archived in the Laboratory of Archaeology of the Faculdade de Ciências
Sociais e Humanas (FCSH).
The work focuses on 12,605 skeletal parts, mostly fragmented shells; subjected to
systematic, taxonomic, and taphonomic identifications after laboratorial preparations. These
were followed by a bulk sample quantitative analysis to obtain statistical data regarding species
representativeness, palaeoecological interpretations of surrounding aquatic biotopes, and
anthropic interactions, with a shellfish and edible mollusc consumption emphasis. Analysis has
revealed 25 bivalve, 16 gastropod, 1 crustacean, and 1 barnacle species from marine and
estuarine environments, and 3 terrestrial gastropod species. Ruditapes decussatus (venus clam)
is predominant in almost all sampled layers, followed by Ostrea edulis (oyster) and
Cerastoderma edule (cockle). Wide mollusc variety was also observed, averaging 12 species per
excavated square. Species abundances indicate the exploration of estuarine environments
similar to the nearby Arade river. Several valves, intentionally perforated or showing umbonal
abrasion facets, were interpreted as fishing net ballasts. A large convex Pecten maximus (scallop)
valve may result from domestic tool usage. This work is a first approach to a larger zooarchaeological collection. Further studies will provide crucial data on this important medieval Islamic centre of the Iberian Peninsula.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Castle context Invertebrate Palaeontology Islamic Period (12th Century) Malacology Medina suburb (Xelb) Zooarchaeology