Discarding the evidence: The place of natural resources stewardship in the creation of the Peel Island Lazaret Midden, Moreton Bay, southeast Queensland

摘要: Middens are created from the discard of natural resources, collected by people for consumptive purposes: mainly subsistence, but also artefact manufacture (e.g. stone, bone and shell artefacts); warmth and/or shelter firewood [charcoal] timber windbreaks); or ceremony. Taphonomic processes act on discarded cultural materials to modify evidence originally deposited creators archaeological site as a result behaviour. There is nothing particularly new unusual in this description accumulation midden material. Interpretations deposits literature based around interaction between behaviour taphonomy. However, all sites reflect process other than consumption taphonomy: discard. In paper, we argue that focus taphonomy ignores activity may overlook an important aspect creation. Using Peel Island Lazaret Midden case study, demonstrate understanding past patterns generate understandings human represented deposits. particular, formation due much creation stewardship oyster beds, consequent did not find their way into midden, artificial collection shellfish food consumption.