Fish Bone Finds from the Archaeological Excavation of the Early Mediaeval Hillfort in Prague-Královice

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This contribution analyses the remains of fish from archaeological excavation in the area of the fortified early mediaeval centre in Prague-Královice (12th–early 13th centuries). An analysis of the available material indicates a regular and widespread consumption of fish, which was, however, only a dietary supplement. Catfish (Silurus glanis) with a body length of about 75 cm, and pike (Esox lucius) with body lengths of about 45 cm and 60 cm were determined. They probably represent catches coming from large rivers (Elbe or Vltava) which are circa 15 km distant from the Prague-Královice stronghold. It can be assumed that some carp-like fish recognised only on the basis of scales could also be larger. However, the capital catches known from the elite environment of the nearby early mediaeval hillfort at Vyšehrad were not documented. The dominant fish in the studied assemblage are individuals up to 20 cm in length, with some only up to circa 5–10 cm, very probably including a gudgeon (cf. Gobio). It makes Královice unique among Czech archaeoichthyological reports of studied period materials. The presence of small fish leads to considerations on the way they were used, including speculations about preparation into a sauce or pâté or frying them, although these procedures are not historically documented in early mediaeval Bohemia. In mediaeval archaeological contexts in Bohemia up to the 13th century, a variety of at least fifteen fish species has been documented osteologically so far.

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