Identification of Mollusc Remains (Bivalve and Gastropod) from Archaeological Sites in Semporna, Sabah

Abstract

This paper discusses the identification of mollusc (bivalve and gastropod) remains from three archaeological sites in Semporna, Sabah, namely Bukit Tengkorak, Melanta Tutup and Bukit Kamiri, dated to the prehistoric period, from 3,000 to 800 years ago. Samples of mollusc remains used in this study were obtained from a series of archaeological excavations conducted at these three sites by the Centre for Global Archaeological Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia (CGAR, USM), Penang in collaboration with the Sabah Museum Department (SMD) from 1994 to 2007. In total, 90 taxa of molluscan species, of which 30 are bivalves and 60 are gastropods, had been identified. Out of 90, there were 55 taxa identified to the species level, of which 18 are bivalves and 37 are gastropods. They consisted mainly of marine species with small numbers of freshwater, brackish and terrestrial species. This study had provided new data and insights into the distribution and exploitation of molluscs by ancient human societies in different environments in Semporna, which will be useful not only for malacological research in the tropics but also for future biological and environmental studies in Sabah, Malaysia as well as for the Southeast Asian and Pacific regions.

Density of mollusc biota Genus Nerita in the littoral zone, Simeulue Tengah District, Simeulue Regency, Aceh Province

“…Biota ini memiliki bentuk cangkang bulat, terdapat garis-garis spriral yang sangat jelas, yang memiliki warna coklat muda bercampur bercak hitam, permukaan opeculum rata serta bertintil-bintil dan terdapat 3 gigi pada bukaan mulut. Menurut (Albert et al, 2022) bahwa bagian bawah N undata memiliki 3-5 gigi berukuran besar pada bagian ujungnya. Lapisan terluar cangkang kerang ini berupa kalsit yang bebrbentuk tidak teratur serta memiliki aragonit pada lapisan dalam (Nehrke et al, 2011) dan ditemukan bersembunyi dibalik bebatuan dan paling mudah ditemukan saat senja di zona intertidal (Tan et al, 2008).…”

“…Karakteristik dari spesies cangkangnya berwarna putih hinggah putih kekuningan. Hal ini sesuai dengan pendapat (Albert et al, 2022)…”

MORPHOLOGICAL MEASUREMENT AND ABUNDANCE OF MANGROVE CLAM (Geloina expansa) AND ITS SEDIMENT GRAIN SIZE PREFERENCES AT PULAU SUTUNG AND PULAU BUSUNG, SETIU WETLANDS, TERENGGANU

“…They are found in the aquatic environment of the mangrove forest area. It is classed under Family Cyrinidae and its shell shape is trigonal-ovate by outline (Albert et al, 2022) and shell colours are greenish-brown and yellowish-brown (Poutier, 1998). G. expansa is infaunal and feeds through filter feeding (Printrakoon et al, 2008).…”