DE EXPLOITATIE VAN EEN INFRASTRUCTUREEL TRAAG ECOSYSTEEM: HET VERZAMELEN VAN WIJNGAARDSLAKKEN
Samenvatting
With sedentism in prehistoric times, more intensive exploitation of a restricled area could have led to the gathering of edible snails such as Roman snails (Helix pomatia L.). There is no proof that Late Pleistocene or Mesolithic hunter/gatherer tribes did not collect such snails, nor much proof to the contrary, as preservation requires accumulation of debris. Given the estimated numbers of inhabitants and duration of habitation at the sites, the number of snail shells in excavations of settlements turns out to be insignificant. Modern Roman snails can be collected economically a few times per year only. This depends on the weather pattern and the sexual activity of the adult snails. Juvenile and subadult snails are difficult to find. The exploitation of a Roman snail population is possible only under certain conditions, and has no economic value because of its low yield. Besides, the calorific value of the snail is very low.