Fish Bones as Indicators for Ecological Water Conditions and Anthropogenic Species Selection. An Overview of Medieval and Modern Samples from the Swiss Rhine Drainage Basin

Abstract

This comprehensive study of medieval and modern fish remains from archaeological sites in Switzerland provides insights into former aquatic ecology and socio-cultural aspects. Local fishing practices predominate, and there is a clear correlation between the consumer’s social status and fish consumption. Fishing pressure, changes in water ecology and fishing regulations are also reflected in the species spectra. A decrease of sensitive fish species over the centuries becomes apparent, particularly in the studied sites on the Rhine.