Tiburones zorro y otros condrictios en el Círculo del Estrecho, un recurso marino infravalorado por la Arqueología

Abstract

Studies on fisheries and the fish-salting industry in ancient times have paid little attention to date to the finding of cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes), which are very present in archaeozoological records, albeit in small quantities. In this paper we present new evidence coming from archaeological activities in two sites in the “Circle of the Strait”, Luis Milena in San Fernando (2nd century BC) and Alcalde Victori Goñalons from Ceuta (8th-9th centuries AD). With the identification of Thresher sharks (Alopias vulpinus), trying to demonstrate the diachronic attesting of these resources; And a preliminary review of the published bibliography, putting on the table the abundance of sharks, and the scant attention paid to the research to date. We also reflect on the bromatological –nutritional- role that these resources could have, and their fishing, salting and socio-economic importance in Antiquity, opening a new line of research to be developed in the future.