In this study, growth-line analysis was carried out on the hard clam (Meretrix petechialis) recovered from the Neolithic Age Daejuk-ri Shell Middens, Seosan, Korea, with aim to determine the seasonality of shellfish collection and site occupation. Growth increments of 206 specimens of the clam were examined. The marginal index (MI) of the archaeological specimens was calculated and was compared to the monthly marginal index of modern specimens under the assumption that the growth pattern was

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... same as it is today. MI of the archaeological specimens ranged from 0.13 to 1.29 and was divided into four categories: < 0.63, spring; 0.63-0.76, summer; 0.76-0.89, fall; ≧ 0.89, winter collection. As a result, of 206 specimens, 170 specimens (82.5%) represented spring, 18 (8.7%) summer, 10 (4.9%) fall and 8 (3.9%) winter collection. The results suggest year-round shellfish collection at the sites, with an emphasis on spring. Considering these results it can be inferred that the sites were occupied throughout the year.