Fishhooks

Fish were occasionally eaten in the Upper Palaeolithic, but it was only in the Mesolithic era that fishing became an important part of humanfood-gathering activities. Thanks to abundant bodies of water, conditions in northeast Germany were ideal. A surprising number of fishhooks, similar in form to those used today, have been found in these diments of the Lake of Pritzerbe and in other sites in the Mark of Brandenburg. Fishing was also done from the bank or from dugout canoes using harpoons or spears, and catch fences and nets were also used. There is also evidence of intensive fishing in northern Germany during the Neolithic. (AHo)