Fish exploitation in medieval and early modern Switzerland: evidence from the ichthyoarchaeological record and historical sources

This study shows that the fish remains from archaeological sites correspond with the descriptions in the written records: both sources point to local fisheries within Swiss freshwater systems. These fisheries were strongly regulated and often selective. Large freshwater fish of high quality were mainly caught by professional fishermen and eaten by the aristocratic and clerical classes, whereas small or young specimens were caught by all social classes even though their catch was strongly restricted. Furthermore, both sources provide evidence for an inland freshwater fish trade of selected species and for the import of herring, and suggest the practice of different freshwater fish cultivation methods.
Source: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology - Category: Science Authors: Tags: SPECIAL ISSUE PAPER Source Type: research