Pages: 339-358 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.55086/sp256339358
This study examines fish bone remains recovered from structures dating to the 6th—2nd centuries BC in the Chobruchi settlement, situated on the left bank of the Lower Dniester. Analysis indicates that residents in the 6th century BC primarily exploited sterlet, carp, tench, bream, sheatfish, and pike, with carp and sheatfish representing the predominant species. For the later period (4th—2nd centuries BC), the assemblage includes crucian carp, carp, tench, bream, ide, sheatfish, pike, and pike perch; most bone remains belong to sheatfish, pike, and carp. The findings reveal variability in fishing practices between the two periods, although consistently high quantities of carp bones are observed throughout the 6th—2nd centuries BC. Archaeological evidence of fishing activities is supported by the presence of a bone needle likely used for weaving nets and fish scalers fashioned from cattle bones. These data suggest that large and medium-sized fish were predominantly captured in backwaters, oxbow lakes, floodplain lakes, and during periods of flooding, rather than in the main river channel. The fish caught served as local food resources and were not exported.
Keywords: left bank of the Lower Dniester, Chobuchi settlement, 1st millenium BC, fish bones, ichthyofauna, fishing
Information about authors:
Sergei Kurshakov (Sevastopol, Crimea). A. O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of the Russian Acaademy of Sciences. Nakhimov Ave., 2, Sevastopol, 299011, Crimea
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0001-8129-5944
Sergey Fidelski (Tiraspol, Moldova). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Pridnestrovian State University named after T. G. Shevchenko. Pokrovskaia St., 128, Tiraspol, MD-3300, Moldova
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0001-7112-4236
Nikolaj Telnov (Kishinev, Moldova). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Pridnestrovian State University named after T. G. Shevchenko. Pokrovskaia St., 128, Tiraspol, MD-3300, Moldova
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0001-6878-0216
Vitalij Sinika (Moscow, Russian Federation). Doctor of Historical Sciences. Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dmitry Ulyanov St., 19, Moscow, 117292, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0002-1621-9205