Functional Analysis of Mollusc Remains from Plawangan Site, Central Java in the Context of Prehistoric Burials in Indonesia

Andry Hikari Damai1* and Aldo Gadra Paulus Simatupang2

Molluscs are among the faunal remains recovered from archaeological excavations at Plawangan Archaeological Site. In prehistoric archaeological contexts, molluscs are often associated with various forms of utilisation, including as food resources, raw materials for artefacts, and elements related to burial practices. However, the function of molluscs at the Plawangan site has not yet been fully understood, particularly in relation to the burial contexts identified at the site. This study aims to explore the possible functions of mollusc remains from Plawangan. The research employs a comparative analytical approach by examining the mollusc data from Plawangan and comparing it with patterns of mollusc utilisation documented at several prehistoric sites in Indonesia that exhibit similar burial contexts. Through this comparison, the study evaluates the possible roles of molluscs at Plawangan, including their use as subsistence resources, artefact materials, or symbolic elements associated with burial practices. The patterns identified through this comparative approach are then used as an interpretative framework to understand the potential role of molluscs within the archaeological context of Plawangan. This study is expected to provide a preliminary understanding of mollusc utilisation and the relationship between the prehistoric community of Plawangan and the surrounding coastal environment.