During the transition from the last glacial period roughly 14,500 to 10,500 years ago, ancient peoples in eastern Jordan's wetlands altered the landscape, unintentionally creating a haven for birds. A recent study published in the Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory challenges the notion that human activity always harms biodiversity, suggesting instead that it can foster cohabitation among species.
While human impact on flora and fauna is often viewed negatively, this study, titled “Waterfowl Eggshell Refines Palaeoenvironmental Reconstruction and Supports Multi-species Niche Construction at the Pleistocene-Holocene Transition in the Levant,” conducted by researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the University of Turin, reveals a different perspective. The researchers focused on the Shubayqa wetlands in eastern Jordan, which were once likely more consistently flooded. Evidence suggests that these wetlands provided a year-round habitat for waterfowl and other species due to human modification.
According to zooarchaeologist Lisa Yeomans from the University of Copenhagen, excavations at Shubayqa uncovered evidence that Neolithic inhabitants not only harvested vegetation but also hunted waterfowl and collected their eggs and feathers. The presence of eggshells and juvenile bird bones in the archaeological record indicates that certain bird species remained in the region year-round for breeding, rather than migrating back to Europe. The researchers propose that human management of wetland vegetation created suitable ecological niches for these birds, facilitating their residency and breeding in the area.
This study challenges the conventional narrative of human impact on biodiversity, suggesting that in some cases, human activity can inadvertently benefit certain species by modifying their environment. It highlights the complex interactions between humans and the natural world, underscoring the importance of understanding past ecological dynamics for informing conservation efforts today.
Wetland management: A pathway to agriculture?
The archaeological cultures under scrutiny represent pivotal moments in human history, marking the transition towards agriculture. Recent research suggests that activities like those observed at the Shubayqa wetlands in eastern Jordan might have played a significant role in this agricultural evolution.
Anthropologist Camilla Mazzucato emphasizes the link between wetland management and the subsequent development of agriculture in the region. The intentional alteration of the wetlands provided enhanced foraging opportunities, particularly for waterfowl, eggs, and feathers.
Advanced paleoproteomic techniques enabled researchers to identify species of eggshells, confirming the presence of breeding waterfowl at Shubayqa year-round. This challenges simplistic, climate-centric views of innovation, encouraging a broader consideration of human and environmental agency.
Mazzucato underscores the long history of cohabitation between humans and animals, highlighting the mutual adaptation that has driven innovation. This symbiotic relationship, she argues, was instrumental in paving the way for the agricultural advancements that followed.
Source: University of Copenhagen