An Unusual Freshwater Mussel Shell Morphology from Three Archaeological Sites in the Lower Mississippi River Alluvial Basin

ABSTRACT

We discuss a previously undescribed shell morphology in unionid mussels from three archaeological sites in western Mississippi. Similar shell features are observed across multiple genera, indicating a possible phenotypic response to an as-of-yet unidentified environmental factor. Targeted research of this phenomenon may lead to applications in paleohydrology and environmental archaeology.

KEYWORDS:

• Applied zooarchaeology
• Unionidae
• Shell morphology
• Paleohydrology
• Shell middens
• Paleoenvironments

Acknowledgements

We thank Arthur E. Bogan, Robert Jones, Paul Hartfield, and Wendell Haag for personal communications related to this project. We are especially indebted to Bogan for providing the picture of the modern specimen used in Figure 4. We thank Tiffany Raymond and Drew Buchner for enabling access to the mussel assemblages discussed. Note: Archaeological voucher specimens are located at Nichols College, Dudley Massachusetts.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joseph Mitchell

Joseph Mitchell is currently Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Science at Nichols College (MA), and his work focuses on freshwater shell middens and their use in environmental and applied zooarchaeology.

Evan Peacock

Evan Peacock is Professor Emeritus with the Department of Anthropology & Middle Eastern Cultures at Mississippi State University. His research includes the use of freshwater mussel shell for biogeography, human impact, and artifact sourcing studies.