Drawing on research findings of a fish event horizon in England and extensive work on historical fish consumption in Belgium, this study aims to answer the question: How did fish consumption...Show moreDrawing on research findings of a fish event horizon in England and extensive work on historical fish consumption in Belgium, this study aims to answer the question: How did fish consumption develop in the northern Low Countries during the early and late medieval period (450-1500). This research is conducted using the Dutch Fish Bones (DFB) dataset, which includes the Number of Identified Specimens (NISP) of fish species and families from archaeological sites between 0-2000 CE. The DFB-dataset is subjected to aoristic analysis in 25-year bin categories to create a diachronic timeline. Despite potential biases and limitations, coherent with the presence of uncertainty within each assemblage and the underrepresentation of certain fish species due to differential preservation and the collection methods employed in archaeological excavations, the study offers valuable insights into regional fish consumption dynamics. During the period from 450 to 650, both inland and coastal regions displayed a preference for locally sourced fish. Freshwater eels, cyprinids, and perches were the primary choices inland, while coastal consumption mainly consisted of demersal righteye flounders and small amounts of herring. From 650 to 950, the coastal region continued to heavily rely on righteye flounders, while freshwater fish remained popular inland. However, there was a gradual emergence of marine fish consumption during the "long eighth century," likely influenced by trade and commercial hubs. Between 950 and 1200, the consumption of marine, migratory, and freshwater fish declined in the northern Low Countries, potentially due to the Medieval Warm Period and changes in fish populations. Despite this decline, there was a slight increase in codfish consumption, which may be linked to the growing trade of Norwegian stockfish. Urban areas witnessed a shift towards marine consumption between 1200 and 1375 in a period that can be called a gradual ‘fish event horizon’, rural areas, in contrast, exhibited a delayed increase in marine fish consumption almost a century after urban consumption surged. The development of markets and trade hubs played a crucial role in making marine fish more accessible in inland regions. The rapid growth in smelt consumption during the fourteenth century reflects the broader trend of rising fish consumption, fuelled by urbanization, population growth, and dietary restrictions. The formation of the Zuyderzee facilitated trade of the Hanseatic cities by providing an open waterway to the North Sea. However, human interventions disrupted the distribution of fish species, leading to a decline in freshwater eels. During the late fourteenth to seventeenth centuries, fish consumption experienced significant expansion phases. Herring, cod, and righteye flounders were consumed in larger quantities, driven by technological advancements in fishing techniques and equipment. The herring industry of the northern Low Countries grew rapidly, with Dutch vessels dominating European trade. Between 1650 and 1800, overall fish consumption declined due to conflicts, economic difficulties, and political instability. However, throughout the centuries following the fish event horizon, the pattern of high marine fish consumption has remained steadfast and continues to be relevant in modern times. These findings illuminate historical fish consumption patterns in the region and provide a foundation for future research, including enriching the dataset, calling for additional meta-analyses and isotopic research, and addressing knowledge gaps, such as the significant decrease in overall fish consumption in the period 950-1200.Show less
