The Bountiful Sea

6-8 September 2017
Taylor Institute, University of Oxford
 

From discussion of EU fishing policy and the health benefits of fish oil, to concern over the environmental impact of aquaculture, it seems fish are constantly in the news – and rightly so. Decreases in fish stocks, new government policies, and even changes in taste can lead to the rise and fall of entire industries and the communities that rely on them. Classical antiquity witnessed many challenges that we would recognise today – population expansion, mass migration, border disputes, and over exploitation of resources. Like us, the Roman Empire processed and consumed fish on an industrial scale. How did ancient cultures shape the modern seas? What can past industries tell us about the present?

The Bountiful Sea conference will gather archaeologists, scientists, cooks, and classical scholars to discuss new evidence for fish exploitation and new perspectives on the manufacture, transport, and consumption of fish-based products in Mediterranean antiquity.

Academic Programme

The Bountiful Sea’s academic programme will bring together specialists from across Europe, North America, and the Near East to investigate key areas of fish eating (production, processing, trade, consumption) as well as the potential of state-of-the-art scientific methods. Overall, the meeting aims to 1) demonstrate the potential of different types of evidence for the study of Mediterranean fish processing, 2) encourage interdisciplinary discussion and the integration of different lines of research, and 3) present novel methods for future investigation of fish exploitation. As such, the meeting will have a broad geographic scope that encompasses the entire Mediterranean. 

>>> Download the conference programme.

Presenters:
Guy Bar-Oz, Emmanuel Botte, Cristina Carusi, Oliver Craig, Sónia Gabriel, Nicolas Garnier, Ayelet Gilboa, Sally Grainger, Carl Heron, Omri Lernau, Benedict Lowe, Ephraim Lytle, Annalisa Marzano, Arturo Morales-Muñiz, Dimitra Mylona, Rebecca Nicholson, Andreas Pack, Efi Ragia, Kristine Korzow Richter, Mark Robinson, Guy Sisma-Ventura, Dorit Sivan, Tatiana Theodoropoulou, Athena Trakadas, Thomas Tütken, Susan Weingarten, John Wilkins, Irit Zohar

Posters

The Bountiful Sea welcomes posters on all aspects of fishing, fish processing, and fish consumption, as well as related marine idustries and inland fish production (e.g. dye production, mollusc farming, fish ponds, salt, corals, etc.). Ethnographic and relevant ecological research is also welcome. These complimentary industries were frequently associated with fish processing, and understanding them is key to contextualising marine resource exploitation. The conference will leave plenty of time for discussion and debate and also all types of presentations, both oral and poster contributions will be published. 

Culinary Progamme

How can we understand ancient fish and fish products if we never experience them ourselves?

The Bountiful Sea meeting will include an innovative culinary programme that invites participants to engage with Roman fish products and fish-based dishes. Demonstrations and tastings will showcase Roman flavours and offer researchers new insight into how fish products were made.

Roman Fish Feast
The Bountiful Sea will open with a Roman banquet, featuring re-created sumptuous Roman dishes drawn from historical sources - a chance to try the best of Apicus and Cicero’s favourite saltfish frittata! Accompanied by salads, Roman-style bread, and white wine from the Bay of Naples.

Fish Sauce Demonstrations
Explanation of the art and science behind Roman fish fermentation and presentation of re-created sauces. Taste fish-based dips and condiments using these ingredients.

Modern Mezze
Participants are invited to bring traditional preserved fish from their regions, which will be presented and shared with the re-created Roman sauces during the evening reception.

Schedule

The conference will open with a plenary lecture and Roman Fish Feast on the evening of Wednesday 6 September. The academic sessions will take place over the two subsequent days (Thursday 7 – Friday 8 September), followed by receptions in the evenings. The Friday reception (8 September) will include presentations and tasting of fish sauces and Mediterranean fish-based products.

Wednesday 6 September
Afternoon - Registration opens. 
Evening - Keynote lecture by John Wilkens (University of Exeter) followed by the Roman Fish Banqet in the Ashmolean Museum.

Thursday 7 September
Full day of academic papers followed by a wine reception and fish sauce tasting.

Friday 8 September
Full day academic papers, closing by 18:00. Reception following.

>>> Download the conference programme.

Organisers

For further information about the event or to join the mailing list, please get in touch with the organisers.

Sponsors

The Bountiful Sea is made possible through the generous support of:

Christian Levett

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