First Evidence of Trade in Galilean Salted Fish on the Carmel Coast in the Early Islamic Period

A groundbreaking discovery of ichthyological remains within amphorae from the Ma‘agan Mikhael B shipwreck (mid-seventh to mid-eighth century AD) on Israel’s Carmel coast reveals the first evidence of a salted-fish trade operation linked to the Sea of Galilee during the early Islamic period. The identified fish species suggest localized production, contradicting earlier assumptions about the absence of such activities in this region post-Roman era. This finding indicates Caesarea-Maritima as a key distribution hub for salted fish following the transition to Islamic rule. The study underscores the significance of archaeozoological methods in uncovering trade networks that left minimal traces in historical records, offering new insights into maritime commerce and economic shifts in the eastern Mediterranean.

Harding, S., Lernau, O., Wouters, W., Marom, N., & Cvikel, D. (2022). First Evidence of Trade in Galilean Salted Fish on the Carmel Coast in the Early Islamic Period. European Journal of Archaeology, 26(3), 320–340. https://doi.org/10.1017/eaa.2022.50