Isotopic evidence of possible long‐distance freshwater fish trade in the 13th to 14th century Chełm, modern Poland

Abstract

AbstractThe Middle Ages in the Polish Plain saw an increase in fish consumption as it substituted meat during Lent and other meatless days, approximately one third of the year, due to religious restrictions. Demand for fish stimulated the market. Fish trade and distribution can be easily reconstructed regarding marine species; however, freshwater taxa evade such reconstructions. Modern analytical tools, such as stable isotope analysis, can distinguish freshwater fish inhabiting brackish water typical of estuaries from individuals occupying inland water reservoirs. In this study, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis was conducted for fish remains excavated from mid‐13th to 14th century residential complex from Wysoka Górka at Chełm, modern Poland. Samples of 16 individuals representing nine taxa met the collagen quality criteria. Half of the individuals expressed δ13C values typical of marine environment: four sturgeons (Acipenser oxyrinchus), two catfishes (Silurus glanis), a pike (Esox lucius) and a bream (Abramis brama). Such values are expected for sturgeon, an anadromous fish, but not typical for freshwater taxa from the sites deep inland, like Chełm. The results are discussed whether freshwater fish are of local origin, migrated in the area of Chełm, or were item of trade, probably from the Baltic coast (approximately 450 km); however, the presence of carp (Cyprinus carpio) may indicate the basin of the Black Sea.