Les coquillages du Paléolithique à l'âge du Bronze au Moyen-Orient et en Méditerranée orientale : interprétations environnementales et utilisation humaine

摘要

This study of the shells from the Paleolithic to the Bronze Age in the Middle East and in the Eastern Mediterranean shows their usefulness in the reconstitution of ancient landscapes, and makes it possible to characterize their biotopes. Moreover, a knowledge of the biology of these shells provides the malacologist an indication concerning the season during which they were collected. This could be consolidated by other methods used in laboratory, such as the observation of thin sections or oxygen isotope analysis. These gatherings of molluscs constitute a food source and a contribution of considerable energy in antiquity either consumed raw or after cooking or drying of the molluscs. At the end, in very many sites the shells were arranged to produce ornaments (pearls, rings, bracelets, pendants, etc), objects for daily life (containers, pallets with make-up, drinking vases, hooks, parts of games, etc.) as well as objects for worship and magic.