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Impact of climate change on mollusks and other invertebrate resources at the Dominican University of California archaeological site (CA-MRN-254), Marin County, California

Quaternary International
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2022.02.030

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Abstract

We have identified and provided ecological interpretations of 30 taxa recovered at two shellmounds at the Dominican University of California archaeology site in Marin County, California (CA-MRN-254). A Q-mode cluster analysis was used to group the samples according to their faunal similarity. The clusters ranged from a diverse grouping of 100 samples with 27 taxa (Cluster A) to those with a more restricted assemblage (4–9 taxa in Clusters B to E). The Q-mode clusters were then used to interpret the variability in food resources utilized through the 1800 years of site occupation. During the Intermediate Middle Period (A.D.100-300), the inhabitants appeared to be selective in the marine taxa they used, evident by the presence of Cluster B and E assemblages. A diverse (Cluster A) assemblage was then utilized at the site at one or both of the shellmounds through the remainder of the occupancy period, including the Middle/Late Period Transition (A.D. 700–900) and Late Period Phase 1C (A.D. 900–1300), coincident with the extensive drought conditions of the Medieval Climatic Anomaly (MCA) in the San Francisco Bay area. These findings suggest the marine invertebrate resources utilized by the site occupants were not significantly affected by the persistent aridity associated with the MCA.

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    Publication type Article
    Publication Subtype Journal Article
    Title Impact of climate change on mollusks and other invertebrate resources at the Dominican University of California archaeological site (CA-MRN-254), Marin County, California
    Series title Quaternary International
    DOI 10.1016/j.quaint.2022.02.030
    Volume 628
    Year Published 2022
    Language English
    Publisher Elsevier
    Contributing office(s) Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
    Description 15 p.
    First page 64
    Last page 78
    Country United States
    State California
    County Marin County
    Other Geospatial Dominican University of California archaeological site
    Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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