Ancient Engravings Reveal Early Use of Fishing Nets 15,800 Years Ago

Newly examined stone plaquettes from a German site depict net fishing, offering insights into Upper Paleolithic society.

Researchers discovered fish and net engravings on eight stone slabs at the Gönnersdorf site in Germany, dating back nearly 16,000 years.
Advanced imaging techniques like Reflectance Transformation Imaging helped identify previously unnoticed details on the plaquettes.
The findings suggest that net fishing was practiced during the Magdalenian period, marking Gönnersdorf as a unique site for such depictions.
Evidence of textile production, including possible weaving tools, supports the theory that nets were used for catching fish.
These engravings highlight the cultural significance of fishing within the Magdalenian society, possibly indicating communal or ritualistic practices.