Definition: A shell midden is a type of archaeological site made almost entirely of mussel shells. First identified as a human-derived site in the mid 19th century by Danish archaeologist J. J. Worsaee, shell middens are still the focus of considerable archaeological interest.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology.
Sources
For more information about why shell middens are so interesting to archaeologists, see the paper on Shell Middens and Archaeology, which includes a big fat bibliography.This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology.
Also Known As: Kjoekken moedding, kitchen middens, shell dumps, shell heaps, shell mounds
