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At the Sea of Galilee carp-family fish dominated prehistoric fish remains
At the Nahal Ein Gev II site, 12 000 years ago, over 98 % of fish bones in the assemblage were from large carp relatives. Including species like the large-scale barbel, longhead barbel, and Damascus barbel (all cyprinids). Making them a mainstay of the local diet.
Other regional evidence shows a broader diversity of freshwater fish in the upper Jordan and Galilee systems including tilapia, and catfish
But the archaeological focus at this early site was on larger carp types.
Long-distance fish trade in the ancient Near East is documented much later (e.g. 3500 years ago in Bronze Age)
At the epipalaeolithic, and early neolithic sites in the region, researchers have found bone fishing hooks, grooved stones used as net sinkers, and evidence of fishing lines
dated to more than ten thousands years ago. It indicates substantial fishing technology already in use.
Neolithic diets in the Levant included cereals, breads, legumes, and animal fats
It’s plausible that carp and other fish were cooked over open fires and eaten with staple foods
Check out carp, or cyprinidae, with some more neolithic architecture today.
Bibliography: ToI Staff. (n.d.). Ancient foodies: Study reveals dietary preferences of Jordan Valley early humans. Times of Israel. https://www.timesofisrael.com/ancient-foodies-study-reveals-dietary-preferences-of-jordan-valley-early-humans/
israelnational.news
בליזובסקי, א. (2021, March 3). What did the settlers on the shores of the Sea of Galilee eat 12 thousand years ago? הידען – Hayadan. https://en.hayadan.org.il/What-did-the-settlers-on-the-shores-eat-12-years-ago%3F
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