Fishing History
Thousands of years ago, the only means of subsistence of people were gathering, hunting, and fishing. Eventually, agriculture replaced the nomadic way of gathering plants for food and basic necessities. Hunting as the main source of meat was replaced by animal husbandry. Fishing was not totally changed by aquaculture, and it remained as one of the bases of existence of man here on earth.
Fishing started in different countries at different periods. Mesopotamia had the concept of Fishing at around 5000 B.C., while in Assyria, fish ponds for fresh water and marine fish were built in as early as 2000 B.C. People at ancient Egypt also started Fishing thousands of years ago, based from an Egyptian tomb which is about 2000 years old and showed two fishermen who carried a Nile perch.
Archeological evidences showed that there were images of fish and Fishing paraphernalia in as early as the Magdalenian Period of the European Stone Age. Examples of these were hooks, harpoons, and Fishing nets which were dated 3800-1800 B.C. and were found near the coast of Peru. In northern and southern Africa, there were numerous evidences including rock paintings which proved that people who have lived on the Paleolithic and Neolithic Periods consumed fish and shellfish.
Archeologists discovered amazing artifacts on the prehistoric sites in India. The most amusing are the artifacts shaped like a letter J which seem to be Fish Hooks made from chipped stone. They also found bone Fish Hooks on the caves.
Ancient Fishing weirs were also used during those times. In the upland with flowing stream, the Indians would create a weir with a small opening across the shallow body of water. Then they would place a stretched net on the gap and consequently, the "drivers" would splash around the stream to herd the fish through the weir and into the net.
Fishing as a means of survival occurred for a very long time. Gradually, people learned how to fish effectively to provide food for their families. They have used modified gadgets and have found new ways of catching fish. As years went by, the process of Fishing improved and the equipment were developed. With the aid of technology which became one of the catalysts in developing the aspects of Fishing, people have come up with ingenious ideas and have discovered new skills and Fishing Disciplines according to different Fishing situations.
Because of this modernization, people saw Fishing in a new light. This long-time means of subsistence became easier and more fun to do. It became more enjoyable than before with only limited equipment. Likewise, the fact that they were learning other stuff such as the different species and bodies of water made Fishing more exciting and worth-doing. This went on until people considered Fishing as one of the forms of recreation. Nowadays, more and more people are engaged on Fishing to have a good time and enjoy nature's wonders at its best.
|
|
|
|
|
Basics & Backgrounds
Home
Print Article
Comment on Article
Write New Article
Search Articles
