The effects of Mid-Holocene foragers on the European oyster in Denmark

This study analyses more than 2,000 archaeological European oyster (Ostrea edulis) shells from 20 sites across Denmark to explore how human harvesting and environmental change affected oyster populations between approximately 5660 and 2600 BCE. By combining measurements of oyster size, age and growth rates, the authors show that prehistoric communities generally harvested oysters sustainably over several millennia, despite evidence that harvesting influenced population age structure and reduced the proportion of older individuals through time. The research demonstrates that environmental conditions and human exploitation both shaped oyster populations, but widespread overharvesting was rare, with only limited evidence of local resource depletion. By providing a long-term ecological baseline from before industrial-scale fishing, the study offers valuable insights for modern oyster conservation, restoration and aquaculture initiatives aimed at rebuilding resilient oyster reefs and the ecosystem services they provide.

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