A new student-led research project examining seasonal oyster harvesting by Gullah/Geechee communities on Ossabaw Island, Georgia, before and after Emancipation. Using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) on archaeological oyster shells, the study compares enslaved and post-Emancipation contexts. Preliminary results show consistent winter–spring harvesting across both periods, suggesting enduring ecological, health, and cultural constraints. The work highlights oysters’ role in Gullah/Geechee subsistence and demonstrates LIBS as a powerful method for reconstructing past harvesting practices
This study presents a comprehensive calibration of the Patella caerulea as a palaeotemperature archive across the Central and Eastern Mediterranean, focusing on Mg/Ca ratios and δ^18^O values.
A comprehensive synthesis of global archaeological shell seasonality studies, assessing methods, limitations, and future prospects. It identifies regional and methodological biases, re-evaluates foundational studies, and advocates for renewed focus on modern reference frameworks to support robust archaeological interpretations of shellfish use through time.