Analysis of Fish Bones from the Tantura F Shipwreck, Israel

Abstract

Underwater excavations of the Tantura F shipwreck in the Dor/Tantura lagoon, Israel, which dated to the local early Islamic period, exposed the remains of amphorae with tens of thousands of fish remains. Taxonomic identification exhibited the preponderance of tiny cichlids (Cichlidae). Moreover, elements of the entire skeleton were represented in the assemblages. We therefore concluded that the amphorae were probably filled with fish sauce. We discuss the possible origins of the fish sauce, whether local or imported. These finds are important as they provide clear evidence that Dor was populated during the Islamic period and probably continued to be an important port along trade sea routes.