Zooarchaeology Of Mollusk Remains From The Sambaqui Da Tairoba (Rio Das Ostras-Rj, Brazil)

Malacological vestiges originated from an excavation done in the Sambaqui da Tarioba (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) were classified and described by the indexes NISP (number of identified specimes) and N/LNI (minimum number of individual). Furthermore, tests were done in order to verify if there was any difference among the archaeostratigraphic layers. Radiocarbon dating revealed an occupation period of 550 years along the Late Holocene (4070-3520 BP). A total of 34 species were identified (18 bivalves and 16 gastropods) plus 2 unidentified species from the families Mytilidae and Ostreidae. In total were sampled a number of 7360 NISP and 3675 MM. Mann-Whitney tests indicated significant differences in MNI and NISP among layers, which can be explained by cultural bias and taphonomic and/or environmental factors. Yet intrinsic factors related with the natural populations of the mollusks can also be playing a role.