Mollusc Shells from Neolithic Contexts in the Lake Eyasi Basin, Northern Tanzania

The study of the Neolithic period in Lake Eyasi Basin was dominated by attempts to formulate area’s chronology, mobility, settlement patterns, subsistence, and cultural capabilities people as attested domesticated animals, pottery, lithic artefacts. Occasionally, studies on molluscs were mentioned, but rarely described detail. sites across have yielded remains both terrestrial (gastropods) freshwater mollusc shells (mussels). abundance shell archaeological records played a great role chronological settings, mobility community integrations, other analyses. Mollusc often been widely interpreted food supplement reliable resources such meat, vegetables fish. Archaeological excavations detailed analysis from Mumba rock shelter, Jangwani 3 Laghangasimjega 2 shown that different roles. They effectively used tool manufacturing, practical implements for handling objects, scraping tools, harpoons fishing weapons, sometimes symbolism rituals. Terrestrial coexisted utilised equally during Mid-Holocene period.
 Keywords: shells; Neolithic; Basin; Northern Tanzania