middens

Middens are archaeological deposits that accumulate as a result of long-term human habitation and disposal of waste. In archaeology, the term covers a range of refuse-related features, from small dumps to large, multi-layered sites. A common subtype is the shell midden, which consists largely of accumulated shells from seafood processing and consumption, often accompanied by bones, ash, and pottery.

Midden contents vary but typically include shells, animal bones, ceramic sherds, lithic debitage, charcoal, seeds, nuts, and other household debris. The prominence of shells in shell middens makes these sites especially informative about past coastal economies, diets, and environments, while other middens may preserve organic material that sheds light on everyday lifeways.

Formed by repeated discard, cooking residues, and habitation debris, middens occur worldwide, with especially prominent concentrations along coastlines and river valleys. They can be single dumps or part of more complex occupation sites, sometimes forming long stratified sequences that record changes in subsistence and settlement over time.

Archaeologically, middens provide direct evidence of diet, seasonality, and resource availability, and their stratigraphy supports chronological interpretation through dating methods such as radiocarbon analysis. They can preserve organic remains that elicit information about climate, flora, and fauna of past environments.

Research methods include careful excavation with detailed stratigraphic recording, flotation to recover botanical remains, and zooarchaeological analysis. Preservation conditions vary, and post-depositional disturbance can complicate interpretation. Ethically, midden sites are protected in many regions, and their study requires appropriate permissions and respect for descendant communities.