Fish bones from the Old Town of Helsinki (Finland) sixteenth–seventeenth century

Abstract

Historical sources, such as tax rolls and accounts, can provide information about mediaeval fishing and fish trade, but this subject can also be investigated through archaeological methods. Archaeological research on the mediaeval and early historical fishing in Finland has not been undertaken in any detail. Research from neighbouring areas, mainly Sweden and Estonia, has provided information about mediaeval fishing in northern Europe. This paper presents the results of a osteological examination of a sample of archaeological fish bones excavated in the Old Town of Helsinki in 1993. The sample derives from the remains of a cellar in a house, used in late-sixteenth or early-seventeenth century by a wealthy person, probably a merchant.

Keywords:

• Fish bones
• Post-mediaeval fishing
• Old Town of Helsinki
• Cod
• Baltic Sea

Acknowledgements

I thank archaeologist Markku Heikkinen (City Museum of Helsinki) for his great help during my research and for letting me work with materials from the Old Town of Helsinki. The research was done with a grant from Kone Foundation.