The Low Countries’ Fish Event Horizon: A Synthesis of the Ichthyoarchaeological, Isotopic, and Parasite Evidence (AD 400–2000)

This paper addresses ongoing uncertainties regarding change in fish exploitation in the Low Countries, particularly chronological, geographic, and social trends. Here, I present the results from a systematic synthesis of three archaeological proxies, ichthyological remains, isotopes, and parasites dated from the Medieval to the post-Medieval period (AD 400–2000) to investigate change in fish exploitation and consumption in the Low Countries. Ichthyological results support a shift from freshwater to marine-dominated ichthyoarchaeological assemblages starting around AD 1150 at both urban and elite sites – although elite assemblages suggest continued access to local freshwater resources. Isotope data is consistent with increased marine fish consumption. However, there is no evidence of an absolute decline in freshwater fish exploitation and diadromous fish exploitation remains consistent. Parasite data are insufficient to identify a culturally relevant diachronic trend, although results are consistent with freshwater fish having had low dietary significance during the Late and Post-Medieval periods. Results justify the application of Fish Event Horizon (FEH) terminology in the Low Countries. This work carries important ramifications for characterising the timing and intensity of North Sea fish populations’ decline while underscoring the variability in responses by different taxonomic groups/ species to change.