Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 45(special issue) 2002

Issue:

VOL 45(special issue) 2002

Keywords:

Birds, Mesolithic, seasonality, Polderweg, broad spectrum, hunter/gatherers

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Winter in a wetland. The bird remains from a Late Mesolithic camp site at Polderweg, municipality Hardinxveld-Giessendam

• Louise H. VANWIJNGAARDEN-BAKKER

Abstract:

The late Mesolithic site of Polderweg in the municipality of Harddinxveld-Giessendam, The Netherlands is situated on the intracoastal plain formed by the delta of the rivers Rhine and Meuse on a so-called river dune. Four stratigraphic phases were distinguished of which the most important, phase 1, is dated 5500 – 5300 cal BC. The 643 identified bird remains provide information on the ecological conditions at the time of occupation. Some 90% of the bird remains come from typical wetland species, while the remaining 10% are indicative of a woodland environment. Almost all of the wetland species are either winter visitors or are present in high levels of aggregation during the colder months. Bird species that indicate summer occupation are notably absent. This has led to the unexpected conclusion that the Late Mesolithic occupants of the site choose to establish their winter camp in a wetland environment.