Zooarchaeological Analysis of an Atoll Assemblage From Central Micronesia

ABSTRACT There has been a dearth of archaeological research on atolls in the central‐eastern Caroline Islands of Micronesia. This has limited our understanding of pre‐contact subsistence and settlement strategies in these more marginal and remote environments, particularly in regards to zooarchaeological data. Here, we present the first analysis of faunal material recovered from Mwoakilloa (Mokil) atoll with occupation dating between ca. 1700 calBP to the present. The sample comprises nearly 6000 specimens across 53 families, representing both vertebrates and invertebrates, and is dominated by molluscs. Overall results indicate that bivalves declined over time, while gastropods increased slightly. The most prominent families include mesodesmatids, cone snails, true conchs, and ceriths. Fish, particularly parrotfish, wrasses, and groupers, were intensively harvested between 1550 – 910 calBP. Rats also first appeared around the same time, while birds and dogs were found earlier, ca. 1700 – 1400 calBP. Neither rat nor dog are represented in the earliest layers, suggesting that these species, often considered part of the “transported landscape” were not initially introduced when the island was settled.