Paper short abstract:

This study explores human-marine interactions in Sligo, NW Ireland, by targeting archaeological shell middens for field surveys and radiocarbon dating. Results reveal a complex interplay between humans and marine resources, from subsistence-level oyster harvesting to larger-scale utilisation.

Paper long abstract:

The study of long-term human-marine interactions often neglects the rich archaeological data present in coastal and intertidal settings. Here we present new findings from field surveys and a programme of radiocarbon dating targeting archaeological shell middens in County Sligo, NW Ireland. The research uncovers a temporal sequence of oyster exploitation and midden deposition that helps reconstruct a detailed account of human interaction with littoral resources through time.

Initial results indicate a multifaceted relationship between human communities and the marine environment, with evidence of both small scale subsistence activities and incremental steps toward larger-scale resource utilisation. These patterns suggest that marine resource exploitation in this region was a complex interplay between ecological availability and societal needs, illustrating the crucial role these activities played in supporting the local economy and communities. These localised practices juxtapose the larger commercial oyster cultivation and harvesting operations that developed elsewhere on the island but offer an equally vital lens to understanding the nuanced interplay between human societies and the marine environment.

By bridging the gap between local archaeological data and global environmental research agendas, this study hopes to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of marine transitions and their ecological and societal implications.