New Study Sheds Light on Prehistoric Shellfishing and Climate in Atlantic Europe

26 September 2025

A newly published research article co-authored by University faculty researcher Dr Darren Fa provides fresh insights into how prehistoric hunter-gatherers used coastal resources during the Late Glacial period.

Image of New Study Sheds Light on Prehistoric Shellfishing and Climate in Atlantic Europe

Fig 1. Illustrative diagram showing show limpet shells were used to reconstruct prehistoric seasonal temperatures

By analysing oxygen isotopes (δ18O) from ancient limpet shells, the international team of academics uncovered seasonal patterns of shellfish harvesting dating back nearly 20,000 years — revealing that autumn was the prime season for Late Glacial hunter-gatherers, offering important evidence for understanding ancient diets, mobility, and environmental conditions.

The findings also contribute to palaeoclimate research, reconstructing past sea surface temperatures and enriching our knowledge of human adaptation to changing coastal environments.

Image of Fig 2

Fig 2. Section of Common limpet (Patella vulgata) shell from archaeological deposits, showing (a) the extraction of 24 calcium carbonate micro-samples sequentially along its growth lines, and (b) the location of carbonate sampling from the edge of the shell. Image reproduced from Marchán-Fernández et al. (2025) ‘New Evidence for Late Glacial Shellfishing Seasonality and Coastal Environments in Atlantic Europe from Shell δ18O values’, Environmental Archaeology, pp. 1–21.

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