Surf'n Turf in Doggerland: Dating, stable isotopes and diet of Mesolithic human remains from the southern North Sea

Abstract

The North Sea bed host remains of Pleistocene and Early Holocene landscapes that were, mostly gradually, inundated following the last deglaciation. Archaeological remains from the seabed obtained by fishing, dredging, and sand suppletion include human skeletal remains. Radiocarbon dating reveals that most of these are Mesolithic although a few Late Palaeolithic and historic remains are represented. Samples with known stable isotope ratios δ 13 C and δ 15 N show that Mesolithic inhabitants of 'Doggerland' had a significant component of freshwater fish in their diet. This means the 14 C dates are subject to a reservoir effect mainly determined by the freshwater bodies at the time. Because of the lack of context, the magnitude of the reservoir effect cannot be derived, so that the 14 C dates cannot be precisely calibrated to absolute ages. However, a distinct correlation is observed between the δ 15 N values and the (uncalibrated) 14 C dates, suggesting a chronological development.

Abrupt cooling events during the Early Holocene and their potential impact on the environment and human behaviour along the southern North Sea basin (NW Europe)

“…Recent finds of Mesolithic artefacts (antler and bone tools) and human remains retrieved from the North Sea floor prove that this formerly dry basin of ca. 250 000 km 2 was indeed occupied and exploited by hunter‐gatherer‐fishers (van der Plicht et al ., ). However, sea levels rapidly rose until ca.…”

Middle Paleolithic complex technology and a Neandertal tar-backed tool from the Dutch North Sea

“…2). Here a wide range of archeological and paleontological remains from the Late Pleistocene and the Holocene were brought to the surface (30,31). The provenance of the sands is documented in the dredging ships' logs and by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.…”

Beam Trawls and Bones: A Reflection on Dutch Fisheries

“…These are three fishing communities in the Netherlands that are closely connected, despite their location in the south, the middle and the north of the country, respectively. The connections between the three communities are reinforced by the fact that they engage in similar types of fishery, organised through similar structures of ship ownership, supply and profit sharing (Van den Bossche et al 1999). Moreover, these communities share the same evangelic reformed Protestant creed.…”

“…From the mid-twentieth century onwards, bone fishing in the Scheldt estuary included some notable fishermen from the town of Zierikzee. It started several generations earlier, however, when fossilised bones were brought up by the traditional sailing (Van Beylen 1993;Van Ginkel 1991). From around 1910 onwards, small combustion engines had started to be mounted in these vessels, but certainly not in all, and they were hardly used for more than manoeuvring and running to and from a harbour.…”

“…With greater awareness about the mysterious existence of 'Doggerland', however, and the possibility of occasional decorated pieces being found, it is in no way inconceivable that an anonymous market exists, even at present, or will arise. Hopefully, collectors will continue to realise that find-context means everything for an archaeological object's scientific value and that even if the find-context is not apparent in detail, the statistical value of every single item is paramount in an area like this (Van der Plicht et al 2016).…”