The Bountiful Sea: Fish Processing and Consumption in Mediterranean Antiquity

Trentacoste, Angela; Nicholson, Rebecca; Mylona, Dimitra

doi:10.1007/s11457-018-9215-1

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…During the Roman Empire, fish resources and derivative products were considerably exploited, having an important role in the economy (e.g., Botte, 2009;Marzano, 2013Marzano, , 2018Garnier et al, 2018;Trentacoste et al, 2018). Across the empire, fish factories dedicated to the production of salted fish (salsamenta) and other fish-products (garum, liquamen and allec) were established, some of the most important located in Iberia (Garnier et al, 2018).…”

Section: Roman and Muslim Occupationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The decline of the ecosystem services generated by anadromous fish in the Iberian Peninsula

et al. 2023

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This work aims to present an historical review of the ecosystem services provided by anadromous fish (i.e., species that migrate from the sea to the river to spawn) throughout Human time, as well as of the main related threats, focusing on the Iberian Peninsula region. Anadromous fish provide important provision, cultural, regulatory and supporting ecosystem services across their distribution range and have been extensively exploited by humans since prehistoric times. In the Iberian Peninsula, sea lamprey, allis and twaite shads, sea trout, Atlantic salmon and European sturgeon were once abundantly present in several river basins covering what is now Portuguese and Spanish territory. These species have suffered a severe decline across their distribution range, mainly due to habitat loss and overexploitation. Considered regal delicacies, these fishes were once a statement on the tables of the highest social classes, a much appreciated bounty for the poorer population and are still an important part of the local gastronomy and economy. Such high economic and cultural interest encouraged intensive fishing. Currently, management efforts are being implemented, pairing habitat rehabilitation (e.g., construction of fish passes in obstacles to migration such as weirs and dams) with sustainable fisheries. Considering the present climate change scenario, these species are bound to endure increased pressures, demanding novel management approaches to ensure population numbers that are able to secure their sustainable exploitation.

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Section: Roman and Muslim Occupationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The decline of the ecosystem services generated by anadromous fish in the Iberian Peninsula

et al. 2023

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“…The preservation of fish by salting or fermenting to protect the animal protein against degradation was well known in antiquity in the Mediterranean region (Curtis, 1991;Grainger, 2013Grainger, , 2018Grainger, , 2021Marzano, 2013;Trentacoste et al, 2018;Weingarten, 2018). It probably originated in the Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First Evidence of Trade in Galilean Salted Fish on the Carmel Coast in the Early Islamic Period

et al. 2022

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The production and maritime trade of salted-fish products are well documented in the western Mediterranean during the Classical and Roman periods. Ichthyological remains found within amphorae in shipwrecks and other archaeological contexts provide evidence for long-distance exchange based on the biogeographical distributions of fish species. The Ma‘agan Mikhael B shipwreck (mid-seventh to mid-eighth century ad) found on the Carmel coast of Israel held three Late Roman amphorae which contained the remains of small fish. The identified species suggest a previously unknown fish-salting operation at the Sea of Galilee during the early Islamic period. The evidence also points to a distribution or trade centre for salted fish at Caesarea-Maritima after the transition to Islamic rule in the eastern Mediterranean. The results of this study demonstrate the value of archaeozoological methods applied to maritime archaeological contexts, attesting to production and trade activities that left few traces in the archaeological record of antiquity.

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Enrico Felici: Thynnos. Archeologia della tonnara Mediterranea

Mylona¹

2020

J Mari Arch

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The Bountiful Sea: Fish Processing and Consumption in Mediterranean Antiquity

Cited by 6 publications

References 37 publications

The decline of the ecosystem services generated by anadromous fish in the Iberian Peninsula

The decline of the ecosystem services generated by anadromous fish in the Iberian Peninsula

First Evidence of Trade in Galilean Salted Fish on the Carmel Coast in the Early Islamic Period

Enrico Felici: Thynnos. Archeologia della tonnara Mediterranea

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