Taphonomic interpretation of the marine mollusk fauna in the Neolithic site of the caserna de Sant Pau del camp (Barcelona)

The shell remains recovered at the ancient Neolithic site of Caserna de Sant Pau (Barcelona) are characterized by a large number of elements of the genus Glycymeris, many of them eroded by wave action. It is therefore surmised that the main part of the archaeomalaco-logical record does not have an alimentary origin. Comparison with current taphonomic analyses could explain this archaeomalocological record as a natural accumulation of sea-borne deposits. However, geaoarchaeological studies demonstrate that the prehistoric seashore never reached the archaeological site, so this hypothesis must be invalidated. On the other hand, there is a clear spatial relationship between shells and Neolithic burials.