clam shells??

[HollandsBrook]

a few weeks ago i was detecting in a wooded area near a small stream in new jersey. the area was once a known route between philadelphia and new york during the revolutionary war period. i've posted in this forum my find at the time (most notedly a french colonial navy button, along with an old horseshoe and wagon part), however after thinking about the experience further, i have one unanswered question. while digging near the button by an old well near the stream, i dug up quite a bit of clam shells and didnt think much of it at the time. the area is an hour inland from the atlantic ocean and the stream obviously would not have had clams living in it. my question is how did they get there? would soldiers have been carrying these with them for food? i cant think of any other explanation of why these shells would be 5-8 inches underground where i believe french navy members may have rested/camped in passing. any ideas would be great! thanks for your time!

-marc

 

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[kierdan]

a few weeks ago i was detecting in a wooded area near a small stream in new jersey. the area was once a known route between philadelphia and new york during the revolutionary war period. i've posted in this forum my find at the time (most notedly a french colonial navy button, along with an old horseshoe and wagon part), however after thinking about the experience further, i have one unanswered question. while digging near the button by an old well near the stream, i dug up quite a bit of clam shells and didnt think much of it at the time. the area is an hour inland from the atlantic ocean and the stream obviously would not have had clams living in it. my question is how did they get there? would soldiers have been carrying these with them for food? i cant think of any other explanation of why these shells would be 5-8 inches underground where i believe french navy members may have rested/camped in passing. any ideas would be great! thanks for your time!

-marc

an hour inland by walking/marching/horseback or driving?

 

[HollandsBrook]

good point....1 hour driving by car

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

fresh water clams?

historic ocean?

 

[bradyboy]

what you have is a ancient Indian shell mound
They would discard their used shell in one mound after eating the contents
I'm aware of mounds in the Boston area and Florida

 

[Mainedigger]

Clamshells were also used as "paving", they were tossed onto dirt roads and walkways and as they got crushed they helped hold the road together and also kept the dust down. This still goes on in coastal communities here in Maine....not usre about an hour inland though.
The mounds of shells left by the Indians I believe were called "Middens" and can be found along the coast just about anywhere there was a strong Indian presence
Here is a good link describing them....

http://archaeology.about.com/od/boneandivory/a/shellmidden.htm

 

[flyinguy]

could have been a picnic grove too. i found clam shells in a farm field and a lot of other stuff too!