Middens

Long before Europeans arrived, Native Americans built an artificial island out of shells that has withstood a millennia of hurricanes.

This prehistoric site is home to the largest shell midden cluster in Japan.

The remains of a prehistoric settlement with a museum showcasing fascinating archaeological finds next to modern artworks.

This impressive midden of scallop shells apparently all comes from a single fishing company.

The site of Japan’s first archaeological excavation is also the birthplace of fingerprint forensics.

Mariners once used this prehistoric landfill as a navigational landmark.

This limestone outcropping was once a ceremonial site for ancient Native Americans.

A mountain of conch shells created by centuries of fishermen.

Before becoming a public park, this spot was a shell midden, a fort, and an amusement park.

One of the largest Native American shell middens stands 30 feet tall.

Decorative shell walls built in the 1940s sit atop an ancient midden created by the Calusa Native Americans.

A park built around the legend of a clam-loving giant who created a monumental midden.