SoA Forum

History => Ancient and Medieval History => Topic started by: Duncan Head on Jul 03, 2025, 10:37 PM

Title: Roman fish sauce DNA
Post by: Duncan Head on Jul 03, 2025, 10:37 PM
Want another "ancient DNA" story?

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/roman-atlantic-garum-dna-confirms-sardine-use-and-population-continuity-in-northwestern-iberia/9487347327F3724D1D2C4F72266DAEF3

DNA has been used to identify the species of fish that went into the making of Roman garum. And it is, as expected, the sardine.
Title: Re: Roman fish sauce DNA
Post by: Jon Freitag on Jul 03, 2025, 11:13 PM
Interesting.  A study I can sink my teeth into.
Title: Re: Roman fish sauce DNA
Post by: Imperial Dave on Jul 04, 2025, 04:16 AM
It's a bit fishy to me....
Title: Re: Roman fish sauce DNA
Post by: Cantabrigian on Jul 04, 2025, 08:54 AM
Yuck, fermented fish sauce?  Sounds revolting.

Must dash - I need to buy a bottle of Worcestershire sauce from the supermarket.
Title: Re: Roman fish sauce DNA
Post by: Erpingham on Jul 04, 2025, 09:06 AM
The Swedes are famed for a love of fermented fish (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surstr%C3%B6mming), though they use herrings. I think I'll stick with the meatballs.