ABSTRACT
Objects are sometimes found that are interpreted by the archaeologist as fishing gear or parts there of. For various reasons finds of items of fishing gear are very rare in direct relation to the remains of their victims. This chapter deals with a number of fishing methods and types of fishing gear known from ethnographical sources. Much of this information has been obtained from Sirelius:Über die Sperrfischerei bei den Finnisch-Ugrischen Völkern and Die Volkskultur Finnlands. Jagd and Fischerei. It also deals with a variety of pre- and protohistoric fishing gear from Northwestern Europe. A characteristic feature of primitive cultures is that social organization, food acquisition, medicine and religion have not become isolated elements of cultural identity. An evolution in fishery technique is evident, from fishing for individual fish to catching fish en masse.
