Reconstructing age distribution, season of capture and growth rate of fish from archaeological sites based on otoliths and vertebrae

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“…This study is one of the first to use archaeological fish otoliths to determine the seasonality of fishing in the southeastern United States (for seasonal studies that used otoliths in other regions see, Erlandson, 1994: 103;Van Neer, Löu-gas, and Rijnsdorp, 1999;Van Neer et al, 2004;Hufthammer et al, 2010 Despite more than three decades of archaeological research on St. Catherines Island, there are still questions about the residential mobility of late prehistoric populations. Ethnohistoric accounts of late 16th-century coastal Georgia societies are open to interpretation; some researchers posit that the Guale people moved residences on a seasonal basis following available resources, while others suggest Guale lived in dispersed but permanent settlements.…”

Characterizing seasonal fishing patterns and growth dynamics during the Middle and Late Holocene in the Strait of Magellan (Chilean Patagonia): Sclerochronological analysis of tadpole codling (Salilota australis) vertebrae

“…Generally, studies of contemporary population dynamics or the seasonal cycles of fish growth are based on otoliths and scales (Mahé et al 2009;Panfili et al 2002). The same methodology has been used on ichthyoarchaeological samples to answer questions regarding paleodemography and population structure of certain important species in prehistoric and historical economies (Guillaud et al 2017;Van Neer et al 1999), and also to estimate seasonal patterns of fishing activity (Casteel 1976;Desse and Desse-Berset 1992;Guillaud et al 2017;Scartascini et al 2015;Van Neer et al 1993).…”

Fishing together, fishing on its own: Fish exploitation patterns at the Neolithic Alepotrypa cave (Diros, Greece) and Aegean prehistoric fishing traditions

“…Finally, a preliminary observation of growth bands on vertebrae and otoliths was undertaken in order to provide a general estimation of the season of capture (Casteel, ; Van Neer, Lougas, & Rijnsdorp, ; Wheeler & Jones, ). During spring and summer, fish accumulate an opaque zone, whereas during winter, slower growth is expressed as a narrow dark line.…”