This article highlights the utility of vibracore technology to sample deep shell midden deposits on the Central Pacific Coast of British Columbia, Canada. Analysis of six core samples and 21 radiocarbon dates revealed that the archaeological deposits extended to a depth of 544 cm below surface and that occupation began approximately 6,000 years ago, continuing into the sixteenth century AD. Zooarchaeological identification of fine screened (2 mm) sediments shows that fish constitute 99.8% of identified vertebrate fauna, with a focus on herring (Clupea pallasii), salmon (Oncorhynchus sp.), rockfish (Sebastes sp.), and greenling (Hexagrammos sp.), followed by a variety of other fish taxa utilized throughout the occupation of this site. Despite a much smaller examined volume relative to conventional excavation, vibracoring was effective in recovering deep, stratigraphically intact, and adequate samples of zooarchaeological fisheries data as well as a considerable number of stone, bone, and shell artifacts (an estimated 550 artifacts per cubic meter of cultural sediments). These results show a persistent and sustainable ancient fishery through six millennia until the contact period. The field and laboratory methods described are especially conducive to sampling large and deep shell midden deposits repetitively.

本文重点介绍了 vibracore 技术在加拿大不列颠哥伦比亚省中部太平洋海岸对深贝壳层沉积物进行采样的实用性。对 6 个岩心样本和 21 个放射性碳日期的分析表明，考古沉积物延伸到地表以下 544 厘米的深度，并且占领始于大约 6,000 年前，一直持续到公元 16 世纪。精细筛选（2 毫米）沉积物的动物考古鉴定表明，鱼类占已鉴定脊椎动物群的 99.8%，重点是鲱鱼 ( Clupea pallasii )、鲑鱼 ( Oncorhynchus sp.)、石斑鱼 ( Sebastes sp.) 和绿鱼( Hexagrammos)sp.)，其次是在整个场地占用过程中使用的各种其他鱼类分类群。尽管与常规挖掘相比，检查的体积要小得多，但振动取芯在恢复深层、地层完整和充足的动物考古渔业数据样本以及相当数量的石头、骨头和贝壳文物（估计每立方米 550 件文物）方面是有效的文化沉积物）。这些结果表明，在接触期之前的六千年里，古老的渔业是持久的和可持续的。所描述的现场和实验室方法特别有助于对大而深的贝壳层沉积物进行重复采样。