Mollusc collection and Holocene palaeogeographical evolution in a southwestern iberian estuary: Statistical analysis of the early Holocene Cañada Honda shell midden (SW Spain)

The malacological analysis of the Cañada Honda shell midden (Tinto-Odiel estuary, SW Spain) has allowed an approximation palaeo biodiversity this sector during Mesolithic. During period, progressive marine transgression caused flooding coinciding with initial intensive capture bivalves Lutraria and Ruditapes decussatus in northern southern site, respectively. In a second phase, was main collected species all sectors. This last period coincided some diversification catches, still dominated by but significant proportions Cerastoderma edule. stage witnessed sedimentary filling estuary creation marshes barrier islands. almost total fragmentation specimens would imply that surface exposed for long time while use. addition, occasional charring molluscs been detected. site are also most abundant other later middens (∼cal 5.2–4 kyr BP), indicating important perpetuation collecting and/or eating habits environment. All determined them currently found its surroundings, where they captured.