Fish trap

Excavations in the town of Bergschenhoek in 1978 yielded five fish traps dating back some 6200 years, with one of them exceptionally well preserved. These fish traps were made of red dogwood twigs, bound together with a length of rope made of some fibrous material. Originally, the fish trap was cigar-shaped, but it was flattened by the weight of the soil covering it. The funnel shape allowed fish to swim into the trap, but there was no going back.
The fishermen using these traps had set up a little camp by the waterside. They regularly raised their living quarters with bundles of reed, planks – probably the remains of a boat – and an old fish trap. They built a small fire there. From this camp they went on fishing and bird-hunting trips.Many fish remains have been found: remains of freshwater fish like pike, sheath-fish, eel, perch, minnow and various types of carp.
The fish traps have been preserved well in the clay layer below ground water level. They were skilfully made, and a lot of time was spent on them.