Despite the long-standing maritime orientation of Eastern Adriatic communities, marine animals, a key yet underutilised proxy for past human-coastal interactions, remain significantly understudied in the region’s archaeological record. This study presents the first comprehensive synthesis of marine resource use from the Hellenistic period to the Early Modern Era, drawing on published evidence from multiple archaeological contexts that vary in function, chronology, and analytical resolution. By jointly considering molluscs and fish, the study moves beyond taxonomic inventories to provide a nuanced evaluation of human engagement with coastal ecosystems.
The review critically examines methodological diversity, ranging from systematic quantitative studies to brief species listings, and considers how these differences shape current interpretative frameworks. Structural imbalances in research visibility emerge: Roman-period assemblages constitute the most analytically developed body of evidence, whereas the Medieval and Early Modern periods remain comparatively underrepresented. Hellenistic material, although increasingly documented, is still seldom explored in depth. Evidence for fish is generally scarce, limiting integrated reconstructions of marine economies.
Rather than framing these disparities solely as limitations, the study situates them within broader research traditions and disciplinary trajectories that have guided archaeozoological practice in the region. Recurring taxa nonetheless indicate persistent and adaptable strategies of coastal exploitation across different site types and historical periods.
By establishing a regional interpretative baseline and highlighting critical gaps, this study underscores the potential of marine faunal remains to illuminate long-term human–coastal interactions. It further advocates for consistent recovery and analytical approaches, including application of sclerochronological methods, to support robust diachronic and interregional comparison, providing a framework for future research that extends well beyond existing site-specific datasets and enables meaningful comparative analyses across the broader Mediterranean region.

First Author: Antonela Barbir

Co-Authors: Melita Peharda

Keywords:
human–marine relationships
marine resource use
archaeozoology
Eastern Adriatic
coastal economies
research synthesis