Worked and decorated shell discs from southern Arabia and the wider Near East

Abstract

This article presents and discusses a corpus of worked and decorated shell discs from recently excavated archaeological sites in southern Arabia, including Dibba (northern Oman), Saruq al-Hadid (UAE) and Sumhuram/Khor Rori (southern Oman). The artefacts are compared to a wide range of shell discs from controlled excavations in Arabia and the broader Near East in order to better understand their date, manufacture and use. The comparative study highlights the wide distribution of decorated shell discs across the ancient Near East, particularly during the early Iron Age, and the complex economic and cultural connections that underpinned the collection, crafting, exchange and significance of such items.

The exploitation of marine resources at Saruq al‐Hadid: Insights into the movement of people and resources in Bronze and Iron Age south‐eastern Arabia

“…The most compelling evidence is the presence of semi‐processed shell objects at the site in Iron Age contexts, which are described in detail elsewhere (Carter, unpublished: 13; Weeks et al, : figs. 23, 24; ). Although fragments of large gastropod species were recovered from Saruq al‐Hadid, these were present in small quantities in comparison to large‐scale late prehistoric shell working sites from south‐eastern Arabia and the wider region (Cleuziou & Tosi, : 175; Weeks et al, ).…”

“…23, 24; ). Although fragments of large gastropod species were recovered from Saruq al‐Hadid, these were present in small quantities in comparison to large‐scale late prehistoric shell working sites from south‐eastern Arabia and the wider region (Cleuziou & Tosi, : 175; Weeks et al, ). Nevertheless, such remains suggest the manufacture of shell objects at Saruq al‐Hadid.…”

“…Furthermore, the presence of unfinished examples of a variety of shell artefact types in the assemblage suggests that shell objects were being manufactured at the site (Weeks et al, : fig. 24; ). In addition to the species identified in the general shell assemblage, Lambis truncata sebae and/or Pleuroploca trapezium , and possibly other large gastropods, were used for the production of decorated shell discs found in significant numbers at Saruq al‐Hadid, and possibly manufactured there (Weeks et al, ).…”

“…24; ). In addition to the species identified in the general shell assemblage, Lambis truncata sebae and/or Pleuroploca trapezium , and possibly other large gastropods, were used for the production of decorated shell discs found in significant numbers at Saruq al‐Hadid, and possibly manufactured there (Weeks et al, ).…”

“…In addition to their subsistence uses, animals from the marine environment were used for the production of objects throughout prehistory in south‐eastern Arabia. Marine shell species have been frequently documented as a raw material for object fabrication, from functional items such as fish hooks (Beech, : 291–293, Frenez & Cattani, ) to elaborately decorated large shells dating to the Iron Age (Weeks et al, ). The existing archaeological evidence suggests a complex network of trade, exchange, and general movement of marine resources to inland sites, driven by multiple motivating factors in addition to subsistence.…”