Fishing in the Early Holocene Human Ecosystem of the Northern Angara Region: Findings from Stratified Sites

Abstract

Archaeological excavations in the flood zone of the Boguchany hydroelectric plant in 2007-20I2 have resulted in importantfindings relevant to the study ofprehistoric fishing in the northern Angara basin, and to the chronology of its initial stages. Evidence offishing was recorded at the Early Holocene layers of Ostrov Listvenichny (points I and 2), Ust-Yodarma II, Ust-Keul I, Ust-Igirma, Ust-Kova I, and Vorobyevo. Such evidence is scarce at the latter three sites, but is more abundant elsewhere, providing an opportunity to assess the role of fishing in the subsistence strategy of the northern Angara foragers. The sites on which this study focuses are located on the Bratsk-Ilim stretch of the Angara River, from the former mouth of the Ilim to the mouth of the Kata (two sites are in the lower stretches of the Angara tributaries, and two on an island). Composition analysis of the ichthyofauna has revealed two fishing strategies, apparently related to seasonality. The first consisted in harpooning sturgeon during the pre-winter time. The second strategy was to procure burbot and pike in spring and summer by hook-and-line fishing and by setting traps. We hypothesize that these strategies evidence seasonal changes in the composition of foraging groups.