Ancient net fishing scenes discovered on 15,800-year-old stones in Germany

An international team of scientists has uncovered new evidence that Magdalenians, hunter-gatherers from the Upper Paleolithic era, used nets for fishing 15,800 years ago. By analyzing markings on more than 400 stone plaquettes from Gönnersdorf, Germany, researchers discovered engravings depicting fish caught in large nets. The revelation marks Gönnersdorf as the only known Upper Paleolithic site in Europe, and possibly worldwide, that visually represents net-fishing practices.

Using advanced imaging technologies like Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), the team identified netted fish on eight of the plaquettes. RTI magnifies and enhances surface details, revealing intricate engravings that were previously hard to detect. One of the plaquettes, previously known to depict a fish, was found to include a grid of cross-hatched lines, likely portraying a net surrounding the fish. Another seven plaquettes examined with RTI displayed similar net-and-fish scenes.

Dr. Jérôme Robitaille, a member of the research team, explained, "While these engravings depict fishing nets and fish, the minimalist and abstract style—emphasizing essential geometric shapes over detailed realism—suggests that the focus may not have been solely on fishing as a subsistence activity." He continued, "Instead, it likely represents the cultural or symbolic significance that fishing held within Magdalenian society."

The engravings form part of a large collection of artworks uncovered at the prehistoric camp in Gönnersdorf. Excavations at the site from 1968 to 1976 unearthed animal bones, headless female figurines, and a range of other artifacts. A total of 406 decorated schist slabs have been found at Gönnersdorf, and they have been extensively studied in the past. However, the fish motifs on the slabs had until now gone unnoticed.

Earlier studies had identified simple representations of fish with forked tails on four plaquettes from Gönnersdorf. In contrast to the detailed and naturalistic depictions of other animal species, the fish are characterized by abstraction and minimalism. The researchers describe the schematic drawings, stating: "The central location of the fish, within grid lines which clearly overlay them and which exceed them in size, together suggest that the grids represent a form of container—a net or trap—into which the fish have become enmeshed." They continue: "[This] specific order where the fish motifs are engraved first, followed by the grid motifs, underscores a deliberate artistic process and design, strongly suggesting the depiction of an animal that was at first free swimming (when alone), which was then captured by the creation of the grid."

The interpretation of these engravings is consistent with other finds at Gönnersdorf, which include fish bones and signs of textile production, such as possible weaving implements. This suggests that the Palaeolithic creators had access to textiles during the Magdalenian period, which spanned from 17,000 to 12,000 years ago. Such fabrics may have been made from fibrous plants like milkweed or nettle and could have been used to produce fishing nets.

"Nets would most likely have been the ideal equipment for catching larger quantities of fish during migrating periods," the authors state. Nets typically require more people to set them up and operate them, especially when targeting large numbers of migrating fish in rivers. This may reflect values, beliefs, or shared experiences among the Magdalenians. Dr. Robitaille said, "It’s also possible that net fishing involved coordinated effort, perhaps planned around seasonal migrations of fish or specific environmental conditions, fostering shared responsibility and resource distribution among group members."

Gönnersdorf, located on the bank of the Rhine River, served as a seasonal gathering spot for hunter-gatherer groups capable of conducting such outings. The presence of fish remains at Gönnersdorf, along with evidence for textile manufacture and use, and the depiction of fish within nets on eight engraved plaquettes, "provide the first unambiguous evidence for net fishing in a Magdalenian context."

This discovery sheds new light on the capabilities and practices of ancient Central European societies. The Magdalenians are recognized as hunters and artists, known for their cave paintings and engravings. The new findings suggest that they possessed advanced fishing techniques and possibly social structures that facilitated communal activities like net fishing.

The researchers point out that fish remains have been found at Gönnersdorf, indicating that the site's prehistoric inhabitants did indeed dine on aquatic catches. Speculating as to how these meals may have been obtained, the authors state, "Nets would most likely have been the ideal equipment for catching larger quantities of fish during migrating periods."

While fish had been identified among the engravings on these plaquettes before, the use of RTI allowed scientists to uncover additional scenes depicting fish and nets. This technology enables researchers to analyze surface details with precise clarity, revealing intricate linework that was previously hard to detect.

Reflecting on the significance of these findings, the researchers suggest that net fishing may have had a communal or ritualistic role in Magdalenian society. 

Sources: IFLScience, Science News, The Independent

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq