[Aztlan] Andara Shell Mounds.

[David Hixson]

> David and Fiona Gray wrote:
> 
> Hi All, 
>          I am fascinated by the recent discovery of
> this mound. Across
> Northern Australia similar mounds have been
> discovered.  They are a mystery
> to Australian Archaeologist. After reading the
> article I was wondering
> whether there is any possibility that the two might
> be linked.

If you mean in culturally / historically, not likely. 
However, if you mean functionally -- sure, there are
shell mounds throughout the ancient world.  Most begin
as shell middens (trash deposits of shells left over
from consumption).  If a coastal or lacustrine
community subsists substantially upon shellfish, these
middens can become quite impressive within only a
generation -- so just imagine what an impressive
amount of shell would be produced over centuries.

As with all Mesoamerican mounds, much of the interior
of a mound is composed of debris, stone and earth
collected from the immediate area (not freshly
quarried stone blocks).  A shell midden is a great
foundation for creating such a platform.  The very
impressive main pyramid at Jaina, for instance, has a
core that contains a substantial amount of shell with
minimal stone inclusions.  Many of the mounds from the
Early and Middle Preclassic of the Pacific Coast of
Guatemala were also built upon shell middens.

It is not surprising to find such shell mounds in
locations such as Florida or Australia.  They need not
imply direct cultural contact.  More likely, similar
subsistence patterns (sedentary communities focused
upon shellfish collection and consumption for
generations).

-Dave