WHAT IS A SHRIMP? It is one of the smaller members of the crustacean family. They’re thought to be the Neanderthal precursors of most of today’s larger arthopod pylum (invertebrate creatures with chitinous exoskeletons like spiders). Shrimp are marine garbage men who live on the bottom of the sea. As babies floating on water they […]
Archaeology of Seafood
ARCHAEOLOGY OF SEAFOOD – Salmon
WHAT IS SALMON? One of the most popular oily fish to eat, this name actually covers several different species that are all members of the same family Salmonidae. They are relatives of the trout and whitefish, but hatch in fresh water, migrate to the sea (salt water), and then return to their fresh water birthplace […]
ARCHAEOLOGY OF SEAFOOD – Hake
WHAT IS A HAKE? It is a fish that comes in several colors. Red and white hake are considered authentic whereas silver hake (a.k.a. whiting) is a close relative. These fish are delicious despite a somewhat terrifying appearance. With an elongated body, long head and tooth-filled jaws, they almost look like an eel. A close […]
ARCHAEOLOGY OF SEAFOOD – Tuna
WHAT IS TUNA? This nomadic, saltwater fish favors warmer waters and is one of the larger predators of the sea. They range in length from 1 foot (0.3 m) up to 15 feet (4.6 m). Capable of weighing over 1,500 lbs (680 kg) and living for 50 years, they’re one of the few warm […]
ARCHAEOLOGY OF SEAFOOD – Tilapia
WHAT IS TILAPIA? This freshwater native is, along with tuna and salmon, among the most popular fish on dinner plates today. The secret behind their success is a combination of having a bland, non-threatening flavor and being less expensive then most other seafood. This swimming entree is a hardy creature that can survive crowded conditions […]
ARCHAEOLOGY OF SEAFOOD – Clam
WHAT IS A CLAM? It’s a popular name for several different types of fresh and saltwater bivalve mollusks. They have 2 adductor muscles, 1 on each shell that allow them to open and close at “painful for your fingers” speeds. Clams feed mostly on plankton and live in groups beneath the sand. Some breeds can […]
ARCHAEOLOGY OF SEAFOOD – Swordfish
WHAT IS A SWORDFISH? These large marine predators are fearsome solitary hunters with a lifespan of about 10 years. Also known as broadbills due their broadsword of a nose, they ironically lose all their teeth by adulthood. Swordfish normally grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) in length (though the females are larger then the […]
ARCHAEOLOGY OF SEAFOOD – Halibut
WHAT IS A HALIBUT? This pancake of a fish is famous for being flat with both eyes on top. They live on the bottom of the ocean floor and so their unique shape offers obvious evolutionary advantages. Capable of growing to almost 9 feet (2.7 m) in length, their great size has lead to their […]
ARCHAEOLOGY OF SEAFOOD – Blowfish (Pufferfish)
WHAT IS A BLOWFISH? So named as it’s one of the only fish in the sea capable of performing oral sex. While this is completely untrue, puffer fish will in fact go to amazing lengths to get laid. They’ll spend days meticulously building “love nests” with which to seduce potential mates. To be fair, things […]
ARCHAEOLOGY OF SEAFOOD – Shark
WHAT IS A SHARK? Thanks to Hollywood it is perhaps one of the most terrifying and misunderstood Apex predators still alive today. Over 400 million years old, this fish is unique in that it doesn’t have a bony skeleton. Instead their skeletal structure is made up of cartilage, like the flexible bone in your lower […]
