1.
shell mound; shell midden; kitchen midden
An archaeological site formed from accumulated shells and refuse left by prehistoric people, valuable for studying ancient diet and life.
An archaeological shell midden: a mound of discarded shells, animal bones, and other refuse left by prehistoric people. Composed of 貝 (shellfish) + 塚 (mound).
Usage
Many Japanese 貝塚 date to the 縄文 period and are valuable for studying ancient diet and daily life. The 大森貝塚 in Tokyo, excavated in 1877, is famous as Japan's first scientifically studied site.