Arabian archaeology and epigraphy · 2004 · 23 citations · 1 references
HumanitiesArchaeologyZoologyEnvironmental ArchaeologyIchthyologyMaritime ArchaeologyIron Age ArchaeologyLithic TechnologyMiddle Eastern ArchaeologyShellfish CultureStone Tool TechnologyComparative Material CultureShell Ornament ProductionStone Tool Food ProcessingTraditional Material Culture
From Yemen to the Arabian/Persian Gulf the coastal societies of Arabia developed an industry utilising bivalve shells (Veneridae). From the Neolithic to the Iron Age these shells were transformed into knives or scrapers, the latter sometimes having a characteristic notch. The majority of these tools are manufactured from the left valve, probably selected by right‐handed people. The shell tools are very standardised and did not replace stone tools; they were probably intended for specific and complementary uses. In Arabia this industry constitutes a specific element of the material culture of the Ichthyophagi .
1