Dear Richard,

The species involved is Nassarius (Plicarcularia) gibbosulus, which is still
living in the Mediterranean Sea. The archaeological specimens found at both
Skhul (Israel) and Oued Djebbana (Algeria) differ slightly from the recent
specimens by a more developed parietal callus which makes it a little bit
broader. This callous is also covering the top in most specimens, while this
is never the case in recent ones. The archaeological specimens fit exactly
the ones known from the Tyrrhenian stage in the Mediterranean area, of which
the age corresponds to that of the shells (100.000-125.000). However,
younger fossil specimens show intermediates between the Tyrrhenian and
recent ones, therefore they are considered one and the same species. By the
way other shells found at the site of Skhul are still living in the
Mediterranean too.
Best regards,
Henk

----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Goldberg" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, June 24, 2006 3:24 AM
Subject: Re: from BBC - Oldest shell jewlery


>
> So the next logical question seems to be whether the species
> of Nassarius is still extant?  If it dates back as much as a
> thousand centuries, could it not be a fossil species?  And
> have other extinct species been found in archeological sites.
>
> More on Mugharet Skhul Cave
> http://ancientneareast.tripod.com/Mugharet_Skhul.html
>
> Rich

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