Molluscs in Central Panama: A review

Abstract

Molluscan remains have been used by archaeologists in Panama to reconstruct ancient coastal environments, subsistence strategies and exchange activities at coastal and inland sites. The goal of this review is to summarize some general aspects of mollusc use at sites located on the central Pacific coast of Panama with special reference to (a) their distance from the sea, (b) date of occupation and (c) species diversity and abundance. Ultimately the changing patterns of shellfish use by Pre-Columbian inhabitants show that diversity and abundance in these sites can be linked to their topographic position.