Archaeologists routinely reconstruct the types of marine environments fished by past human societ... more Archaeologists routinely reconstruct the types of marine environments fished by past human societies in order to understand economic systems, foraging behaviour, maritime technology and seafaring abilities. These reconstructions are based on ecological data provided by archaeofish identifications, but can be problematic where coarse-grained designations, such as inshore or pelagic, are used, or the influence of fish behaviour and life history traits on movement between habitats is overlooked. In tropical waters, intra-family diversity complicates habitat reconstruction by precluding lower-level taxonomic identifications that provide precise habitat information (e.g. surge channels, dropoffs). Consequently, a single generalised habitat may be imposed on fishes that could be caught in multiple environments, thereby eroding the reliability of fishing zone reconstructions. This study employs the archaeofish assemblage from Chelechol ra Orrak (c. 3000–0 BP), Palau to examine the analytical impact of these variables on fishing habitat reconstruction based on a blind assessment of taxon-derived environmental data by two analysts. We assesses how analysts' variable decision protocols for the handling of imprecise environmental data impact resulting habitat exploitation profiles. Our results address the issue of spatial resolution in habitat information gleaned from fish assemblages like Orrak's, with important implications for the interpretation of foraging practices and maritime adaptations. R ´ ESUMÉ Très souvent les archéologues reconstituent les types de milieux marins pêchés par les sociétés humaines du passé pour comprendre les systèmeséconomiques, le comportement alimentaire, la technologie maritime et les capacités maritimes. Ces reconstructions sont basées sur des donnéesécologiques fournis par les identifications des poissons archéologiques, mais cela peutêtre problématique lors des désignations générales, tels que les eauxcôtì eres ou pélagiques sont utilisés, ou l'influence du comportement des poissons et les caractéristiques de l'histoire de la vie en mouvement entre les habitats sont ignorés. Dans les eaux tropicales, la diversité intrafamiliale complique la reconstruction de l'habitat en excluant le niveau inférieur des identifications taxonomiques qui fournissent des informations plus précises de l'habitat (i.e. les canaux de surtension, des tombants). Par conséquent, un seul habitat généralisé peutêtre imposée sur des poissons qui pourraientêtre pris dans multiples milieux, affaiblissant ainsi la fiabilité des reconstructions de la zone de pêche. Cetté etude utilise l'agglomérat des poissons archéologiques de Chelechol ra Orrak (environ 3000–0 AP), Palau pour examiner l'impact analytique de ces variables de la reconstruction de l'habitat de la pêche, basée sur uné evaluation aveugle des données environnementales taxon-dérivées par deux analystes. Nousévaluons comment les variables, décision-protocoles des analystes dans le traitement des données environnementales imprécises impactent les résultats des profils de l'exploitation de l'habitat. Nos résultats portent sur la question de la résolution spatiale de l'information de l'habitat, extraitè a partir de l'amas de poissons comme l'Orrak, avec des implications importantes pour l'interprétation des pratiques de recherche de nourriture et des adaptations maritimes. Mots Clés: ˆ Iles Carolines, reconstruction paléoenvironnementale, archéo-ichtyologiques, archéozoologie, pêche des poissons pélagiques, pêche sur le récif
Archaeologists routinely reconstruct the types of marine environments fished by past human societ... more Archaeologists routinely reconstruct the types of marine environments fished by past human societies in order to understand economic systems, foraging behaviour, maritime technology and seafaring abilities. These reconstructions are based on ecological data provided by archaeofish identifications, but can be problematic where coarse-grained designations, such as inshore or pelagic, are used, or the influence of fish behaviour and life history traits on movement between habitats is overlooked. In tropical waters, intra-family diversity complicates habitat reconstruction by precluding lower-level taxonomic identifications that provide precise habitat information (e.g. surge channels, dropoffs). Consequently, a single generalised habitat may be imposed on fishes that could be caught in multiple environments, thereby eroding the reliability of fishing zone reconstructions. This study employs the archaeofish assemblage from Chelechol ra Orrak (c. 3000–0 BP), Palau to examine the analytical impact of these variables on fishing habitat reconstruction based on a blind assessment of taxon-derived environmental data by two analysts. We assesses how analysts' variable decision protocols for the handling of imprecise environmental data impact resulting habitat exploitation profiles. Our results address the issue of spatial resolution in habitat information gleaned from fish assemblages like Orrak's, with important implications for the interpretation of foraging practices and maritime adaptations. R ´ ESUMÉ Très souvent les archéologues reconstituent les types de milieux marins pêchés par les sociétés humaines du passé pour comprendre les systèmeséconomiques, le comportement alimentaire, la technologie maritime et les capacités maritimes. Ces reconstructions sont basées sur des donnéesécologiques fournis par les identifications des poissons archéologiques, mais cela peutêtre problématique lors des désignations générales, tels que les eauxcôtì eres ou pélagiques sont utilisés, ou l'influence du comportement des poissons et les caractéristiques de l'histoire de la vie en mouvement entre les habitats sont ignorés. Dans les eaux tropicales, la diversité intrafamiliale complique la reconstruction de l'habitat en excluant le niveau inférieur des identifications taxonomiques qui fournissent des informations plus précises de l'habitat (i.e. les canaux de surtension, des tombants). Par conséquent, un seul habitat généralisé peutêtre imposée sur des poissons qui pourraientêtre pris dans multiples milieux, affaiblissant ainsi la fiabilité des reconstructions de la zone de pêche. Cetté etude utilise l'agglomérat des poissons archéologiques de Chelechol ra Orrak (environ 3000–0 AP), Palau pour examiner l'impact analytique de ces variables de la reconstruction de l'habitat de la pêche, basée sur uné evaluation aveugle des données environnementales taxon-dérivées par deux analystes. Nousévaluons comment les variables, décision-protocoles des analystes dans le traitement des données environnementales imprécises impactent les résultats des profils de l'exploitation de l'habitat. Nos résultats portent sur la question de la résolution spatiale de l'information de l'habitat, extraitè a partir de l'amas de poissons comme l'Orrak, avec des implications importantes pour l'interprétation des pratiques de recherche de nourriture et des adaptations maritimes. Mots Clés: ˆ Iles Carolines, reconstruction paléoenvironnementale, archéo-ichtyologiques, archéozoologie, pêche des poissons pélagiques, pêche sur le récif
Prior investigation at the Chelechol ra Orrak site (3000/1700–0 BP) in Palau’s Rock Islands revea... more Prior investigation at the Chelechol ra Orrak site (3000/1700–0 BP) in Palau’s Rock Islands revealed a decline in fishing and increased reliance on small-bodied, inshore and littoral molluscs, commensurate with evidence for declining foraging efficiency and prey switching that signal potential resource depression. Yet, standard markers for ‘overfishing’, such as diet-breadth expansion, increased taxonomic richness, and a switch to exploitation of offshore waters, are lacking at the site, undermining the case for anthropogenic resource (exploitation) depression as a cause of the observed patterning. Broad scale climate change similarly fails to account for these shifts. To investigate these conflicting patterns we performed a mean/median size analysis of two parrotfish (Scaridae) taxa, Scarus and Chlorurus, among the most commonly recovered fish at the site. Results indicate that Scarus size remains unchanged through 1500 years of exploitation, while Chlorurus become larger, substantiating previous findings for sustainable resource use at Orrak. With these results in mind, we critically evaluate prey size change as a metric for anthropogenic exploitation depression, noting that size diminution, in particular, may arise epiphenomenally due to multiple causes unrelated to human predation pressure. Results have broader implications for the detection and attribution of resource depression in studies of human paleoecology.
Prior investigation at the Chelechol ra Orrak site (3000/1700–0 BP) in Palau’s Rock Islands revea... more Prior investigation at the Chelechol ra Orrak site (3000/1700–0 BP) in Palau’s Rock Islands revealed a decline in fishing and increased reliance on small-bodied, inshore and littoral molluscs, commensurate with evidence for declining foraging efficiency and prey switching that signal potential resource depression. Yet, standard markers for ‘overfishing’, such as diet-breadth expansion, increased taxonomic richness, and a switch to exploitation of offshore waters, are lacking at the site, undermining the case for anthropogenic resource (exploitation) depression as a cause of the observed patterning. Broad scale climate change similarly fails to account for these shifts. To investigate these conflicting patterns we performed a mean/median size analysis of two parrotfish (Scaridae) taxa, Scarus and Chlorurus, among the most commonly recovered fish at the site. Results indicate that Scarus size remains unchanged through 1500 years of exploitation, while Chlorurus become larger, substantiating previous findings for sustainable resource use at Orrak. With these results in mind, we critically evaluate prey size change as a metric for anthropogenic exploitation depression, noting that size diminution, in particular, may arise epiphenomenally due to multiple causes unrelated to human predation pressure. Results have broader implications for the detection and attribution of resource depression in studies of human paleoecology.
Archaeologists routinely reconstruct the types of marine environments fished by past human societ... more Archaeologists routinely reconstruct the types of marine environments fished by past human societies in order to understand economic systems, foraging behaviour, maritime technology and seafaring abilities. These reconstructions are based on ecological data provided by archaeofish identifications, but can be problematic where coarse-grained designations, such as inshore or pelagic, are used, or the influence of fish behaviour and life history traits on movement between habitats is overlooked. In tropical waters, intra-family diversity complicates habitat reconstruction by precluding lower-level taxonomic identifications that provide precise habitat information (e.g. surge channels, dropoffs). Consequently, a single generalised habitat may be imposed on fishes that could be caught in multiple environments, thereby eroding the reliability of fishing zone reconstructions. This study employs the archaeofish assemblage from Chelechol ra Orrak (c. 3000–0 BP), Palau to examine the analytical impact of these variables on fishing habitat reconstruction based on a blind assessment of taxon-derived environmental data by two analysts. We assesses how analysts' variable decision protocols for the handling of imprecise environmental data impact resulting habitat exploitation profiles. Our results address the issue of spatial resolution in habitat information gleaned from fish assemblages like Orrak's, with important implications for the interpretation of foraging practices and maritime adaptations. R ´ ESUMÉ Très souvent les archéologues reconstituent les types de milieux marins pêchés par les sociétés humaines du passé pour comprendre les systèmeséconomiques, le comportement alimentaire, la technologie maritime et les capacités maritimes. Ces reconstructions sont basées sur des donnéesécologiques fournis par les identifications des poissons archéologiques, mais cela peutêtre problématique lors des désignations générales, tels que les eauxcôtì eres ou pélagiques sont utilisés, ou l'influence du comportement des poissons et les caractéristiques de l'histoire de la vie en mouvement entre les habitats sont ignorés. Dans les eaux tropicales, la diversité intrafamiliale complique la reconstruction de l'habitat en excluant le niveau inférieur des identifications taxonomiques qui fournissent des informations plus précises de l'habitat (i.e. les canaux de surtension, des tombants). Par conséquent, un seul habitat généralisé peutêtre imposée sur des poissons qui pourraientêtre pris dans multiples milieux, affaiblissant ainsi la fiabilité des reconstructions de la zone de pêche. Cetté etude utilise l'agglomérat des poissons archéologiques de Chelechol ra Orrak (environ 3000–0 AP), Palau pour examiner l'impact analytique de ces variables de la reconstruction de l'habitat de la pêche, basée sur uné evaluation aveugle des données environnementales taxon-dérivées par deux analystes. Nousévaluons comment les variables, décision-protocoles des analystes dans le traitement des données environnementales imprécises impactent les résultats des profils de l'exploitation de l'habitat. Nos résultats portent sur la question de la résolution spatiale de l'information de l'habitat, extraitè a partir de l'amas de poissons comme l'Orrak, avec des implications importantes pour l'interprétation des pratiques de recherche de nourriture et des adaptations maritimes. Mots Clés: ˆ Iles Carolines, reconstruction paléoenvironnementale, archéo-ichtyologiques, archéozoologie, pêche des poissons pélagiques, pêche sur le récif
Archaeologists routinely reconstruct the types of marine environments fished by past human societ... more Archaeologists routinely reconstruct the types of marine environments fished by past human societies in order to understand economic systems, foraging behaviour, maritime technology and seafaring abilities. These reconstructions are based on ecological data provided by archaeofish identifications, but can be problematic where coarse-grained designations, such as inshore or pelagic, are used, or the influence of fish behaviour and life history traits on movement between habitats is overlooked. In tropical waters, intra-family diversity complicates habitat reconstruction by precluding lower-level taxonomic identifications that provide precise habitat information (e.g. surge channels, dropoffs). Consequently, a single generalised habitat may be imposed on fishes that could be caught in multiple environments, thereby eroding the reliability of fishing zone reconstructions. This study employs the archaeofish assemblage from Chelechol ra Orrak (c. 3000–0 BP), Palau to examine the analytical impact of these variables on fishing habitat reconstruction based on a blind assessment of taxon-derived environmental data by two analysts. We assesses how analysts' variable decision protocols for the handling of imprecise environmental data impact resulting habitat exploitation profiles. Our results address the issue of spatial resolution in habitat information gleaned from fish assemblages like Orrak's, with important implications for the interpretation of foraging practices and maritime adaptations. R ´ ESUMÉ Très souvent les archéologues reconstituent les types de milieux marins pêchés par les sociétés humaines du passé pour comprendre les systèmeséconomiques, le comportement alimentaire, la technologie maritime et les capacités maritimes. Ces reconstructions sont basées sur des donnéesécologiques fournis par les identifications des poissons archéologiques, mais cela peutêtre problématique lors des désignations générales, tels que les eauxcôtì eres ou pélagiques sont utilisés, ou l'influence du comportement des poissons et les caractéristiques de l'histoire de la vie en mouvement entre les habitats sont ignorés. Dans les eaux tropicales, la diversité intrafamiliale complique la reconstruction de l'habitat en excluant le niveau inférieur des identifications taxonomiques qui fournissent des informations plus précises de l'habitat (i.e. les canaux de surtension, des tombants). Par conséquent, un seul habitat généralisé peutêtre imposée sur des poissons qui pourraientêtre pris dans multiples milieux, affaiblissant ainsi la fiabilité des reconstructions de la zone de pêche. Cetté etude utilise l'agglomérat des poissons archéologiques de Chelechol ra Orrak (environ 3000–0 AP), Palau pour examiner l'impact analytique de ces variables de la reconstruction de l'habitat de la pêche, basée sur uné evaluation aveugle des données environnementales taxon-dérivées par deux analystes. Nousévaluons comment les variables, décision-protocoles des analystes dans le traitement des données environnementales imprécises impactent les résultats des profils de l'exploitation de l'habitat. Nos résultats portent sur la question de la résolution spatiale de l'information de l'habitat, extraitè a partir de l'amas de poissons comme l'Orrak, avec des implications importantes pour l'interprétation des pratiques de recherche de nourriture et des adaptations maritimes. Mots Clés: ˆ Iles Carolines, reconstruction paléoenvironnementale, archéo-ichtyologiques, archéozoologie, pêche des poissons pélagiques, pêche sur le récif
Prior investigation at the Chelechol ra Orrak site (3000/1700–0 BP) in Palau’s Rock Islands revea... more Prior investigation at the Chelechol ra Orrak site (3000/1700–0 BP) in Palau’s Rock Islands revealed a decline in fishing and increased reliance on small-bodied, inshore and littoral molluscs, commensurate with evidence for declining foraging efficiency and prey switching that signal potential resource depression. Yet, standard markers for ‘overfishing’, such as diet-breadth expansion, increased taxonomic richness, and a switch to exploitation of offshore waters, are lacking at the site, undermining the case for anthropogenic resource (exploitation) depression as a cause of the observed patterning. Broad scale climate change similarly fails to account for these shifts. To investigate these conflicting patterns we performed a mean/median size analysis of two parrotfish (Scaridae) taxa, Scarus and Chlorurus, among the most commonly recovered fish at the site. Results indicate that Scarus size remains unchanged through 1500 years of exploitation, while Chlorurus become larger, substantiating previous findings for sustainable resource use at Orrak. With these results in mind, we critically evaluate prey size change as a metric for anthropogenic exploitation depression, noting that size diminution, in particular, may arise epiphenomenally due to multiple causes unrelated to human predation pressure. Results have broader implications for the detection and attribution of resource depression in studies of human paleoecology.
Prior investigation at the Chelechol ra Orrak site (3000/1700–0 BP) in Palau’s Rock Islands revea... more Prior investigation at the Chelechol ra Orrak site (3000/1700–0 BP) in Palau’s Rock Islands revealed a decline in fishing and increased reliance on small-bodied, inshore and littoral molluscs, commensurate with evidence for declining foraging efficiency and prey switching that signal potential resource depression. Yet, standard markers for ‘overfishing’, such as diet-breadth expansion, increased taxonomic richness, and a switch to exploitation of offshore waters, are lacking at the site, undermining the case for anthropogenic resource (exploitation) depression as a cause of the observed patterning. Broad scale climate change similarly fails to account for these shifts. To investigate these conflicting patterns we performed a mean/median size analysis of two parrotfish (Scaridae) taxa, Scarus and Chlorurus, among the most commonly recovered fish at the site. Results indicate that Scarus size remains unchanged through 1500 years of exploitation, while Chlorurus become larger, substantiating previous findings for sustainable resource use at Orrak. With these results in mind, we critically evaluate prey size change as a metric for anthropogenic exploitation depression, noting that size diminution, in particular, may arise epiphenomenally due to multiple causes unrelated to human predation pressure. Results have broader implications for the detection and attribution of resource depression in studies of human paleoecology.
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Papers by Osamu Kataoka
resource use at Orrak. With these results in mind, we critically evaluate prey size change as a metric for anthropogenic exploitation depression, noting that size diminution, in particular, may arise epiphenomenally due to multiple causes unrelated to human predation pressure. Results have broader implications for the detection and attribution of resource depression in studies of human paleoecology.
resource use at Orrak. With these results in mind, we critically evaluate prey size change as a metric for anthropogenic exploitation depression, noting that size diminution, in particular, may arise epiphenomenally due to multiple causes unrelated to human predation pressure. Results have broader implications for the detection and attribution of resource depression in studies of human paleoecology.