New insights into Holocene economies and environments of central East Timor: Analysis of the molluscan assemblage at the rockshelter site of Hatu Sour

In the central region of East Timor (the proper name for this nation being TimorLeste) little is known of prehistoric economies beyond 2000 years ago, most previous archaeological studies having been concentrated around the Baucau plateau and eastern end of the island. The village of Laleia on the Laleia River is located 20 km east of the main district town of Manatuto on the central northern coast. Recent excavations at the nearby rockshelter site of Hatu Sour have revealed a deep archaeological sequence that dates from approx. 11,000 years ago until the recent past. This paper examines the shellfish (i.e., molluscan) assemblage from the excavation at Hatu Sour for what it can reveal about prehistoric economies and the environment of this strategic region throughout the Holocene.