DDeden Wrote:
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> Hans Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > When do shrimp enter the archaeological
> record? In
> > otherwords when do there remains start
> showing up
> > in middens and other garbage dumps?
>
> 1) I don't know the arch. record on shrimp

I don't either but it is an interesting idea.

> 2) Shrimp have thin shells, easily decompose
> AFAIK, while thick hard-shelled molluscs last
> longer.

Similar problem concerning evidence of fish consumption. Fish bones are very small and don't preserve well.

> 3) AFAICT Humans have been consuming freshwater
> and saltwater shrimp, crayfish etc. for millions
> of years.

The current high sea level makes finding the marine evidence difficult. There are middens of marine mollusks in South Africa and Itrea that date back to 100,000-120,000 years. Recently there was an article on Neanderthals with evidence that they consumed seafood.

> 4) Ancient human ancestors may have been less
> sedentary, more migratory, so middens wouldn't
> accumulate in the same way as at more recent
> settlements of concentrated populations.

Certainly the population was lower but I question the assertion that earlier ancestors were more nomadic. The technological level was lower, thus making hunting more difficult. If these ancient ancestors found an enviroment (seacoast) with a constant, easily obtained food source (fish & mollusks), why move?
>
> DDeden
>
>