Archaeomalacology of an Iron Age Site of Muweilah (United Arab Emirates): Environmental Provenance and Taphonomic Pathways of a Major Food Source

Archaeomalacological evidence offers important insights into dietary habits, shell use, human-environment dynamics, climate variability, and broader aspects of cultural behaviour. In this study, an extensive collection of molluscan remains from Muweilah, an Iron Age II (1000-600BC) site in the United Arab Emirates, were examined with respect to their taxonomy, taphonomy, and environment of origin. The analysis includes a total of 40,668 individuals from 54 taxa, which are dominated by the gastropods Terebralia palustris and Hexaplex kuesterianus and the bivalves Marcia cordata and Ostreoidea sp. Most specimens originate from mangrove and littoral environments and show a high degree of taphonomic alterations including fragmentation, ablation, superficial cracks, surface abrasion and different states of preservation with respect to colouration and shininess. These taphonomic features are consistent with the dominant taxa being used for sustenance, possibly supplemented by bivalves such as Anadara and Pinctada. The variation in taphonomic patterns likely reflects differences in processing as well as a species-specific cooking methods. Further remains, including Cypraea sp., Conus sp., and Strombidae sp., were likely collected for use as ornaments or utensils. Some specimens appear to have served as flooring material, while others, gathered as by-catch or through beach collection, may have been repurposed as tools.