Scientists from the Leibniz Zentrum für Archäologie and Durham University have examined a collection of 406 engraved schist plaquettes found at the Magdalenian site of Gönnersdorf in Germany. The ancient engravings provide valuable insights into the fishing techniques and tools used by Paleolithic peoples, and how these practices were translated into visual culture through the depiction of nets characterized by interlaced diamond-shaped and square meshes.
Plaquette 341 from the Magdalenian site of Gönnersdorf, Germany. Image credit: Robitaille et al., doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311302.
“Prehistoric fishing deployed a diverse range of technologies and techniques, including various strategies for obtaining fish that can be summarised as active fishing, which requires direct human involvement with or near the fishing equipment, passive fishing, involving trapping methods, or a combination of both,” said Dr. Jérôme Robitaille of the Leibniz Zentrum für Archäologie and colleagues.
“Some methods were developed for individual catches, such as angling, while others were refined to maximize yields through the use of collective nets and traps.”
“The selection of a particular method was influenced by the target fish species, as well as the distinct habitats and terrains where specific aquatic resources thrived.”
“Although evidence for fishing in the Upper Plaeolithic (20,000 to 14,500 years ago) is not abundant, there is sporadic direct and indirect evidence of several fishing techniques, such as barbed points or harpoons, bows and arrows, traps, and fishing nets.”
In their research, the authors analyzed the engravings on 406 schist (metamorphic rock) plaquettes from the Magdalenian site of Gönnersdorf on the northern bank of the river Rhine in western central Germany.
These plaquettes are characterized by their unique artistic styles and iconographic themes depicting both terrestrial and aquatic animals and humans.
New imaging methods allowed the researchers to see intricate engravings of fish, accompanied by grid-like patterns that are interpreted as depictions of fishing nets or traps.
The findings suggest that fishing may have held symbolic significance within the Upper Paleolithic.
They expand the known repertoire of Ice Age art and offer remarkable insights into the symbolic and social practices of early hunter-gatherer societies.
“Our comparative analysis including other archaeological sites from the same period, such as Altamira and Lascaux, highlights Gönnersdorf’s contribution to our understanding of Paleolithic art and subsistence strategies,” the scientists concluded.
“Unlike the more celebrated sites known for their vivid fish depictions, Gönnersdorf’s abstract and minimalist style offers a fresh perspective on the socio-cultural dynamics of Magdalenian communities.”
“Fishing with nets, deriving from a broad spectrum economy, reveals the diversity, adaptability and creativity of prehistoric communities, showcasing their proficiency in utilizing a variety of fishing techniques to sustainably exploit aquatic resources.”
“This research not only enhances our understanding of the diverse subsistence strategies of Paleolithic societies but also contributes to the broader discourse on the complexity and richness of their cultural practices.”
“By placing a spotlight on the often-overlooked aspect of the practice of fishing and the representation of that practice in art, our study adds to a more comprehensive and dynamic picture of subsistence during the Upper Paleolithic, opening new pathways for future research in this field.”
“Evidently fishing played a more significant role in shaping social and cultural practices than previously recognized, as evidenced by the aggregation patterns around bountiful fishing sites, and is therefore a subject matter worth of further investigation.”
The study was published online in the journal PLoS ONE.
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J. Robitaille et al. 2024. Upper Palaeolithic fishing techniques: Insights from the engraved plaquettes of the Magdalenian site of Gönnersdorf, Germany. PLoS ONE 19 (11): e0311302; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311302