History of Spearfishing
- Spearfishing was a common form of hunting during the Paleolithic, or prehistoric, period. According to historian Russell Dale Guthrie in "The Nature of Paleolithic Art," barbed harpoons were in widespread use about 15,000 years ago. Cave art discovered in the Cosquer Cave near Marseille in Southern France provides ample evidence of ancient spearfishing. The cave paintings, dating from more than 16,000 years ago, show images of seals that have been harpooned or speared.
- The ancient Egyptians used a variety of fishing techniques. These included netting, line fishing with a hook and spearfishing. Evidence of Egyptian spearfishing can be found in tomb paintings and illustrations drawn on papyrus paper. The Egyptians used spears to fish from both the river bank and from small reed boats. A fine example of ancient spearfishing can be seen in a wall painting in the tomb of Menna in Thebes. Menna himself can be clearly seen standing in a small boat with his spear raised in readiness to strike.
- References to spearfishing can be found throughout the Classical Era and biblical times. Approximately 150 years before Christ, the Greek historian Polybius wrote his highly detailed work known as "The Histories." Polybius illustrates the use of a barbed harpoon for spearing swordfish. Oppian of Corycus, another Greek chronicler, wrote of fishing with spear and tridents in his work "Halieulica." Often mistaken for weapons, the images of tridents in both Greek and Roman mythology are in fact spearfishing implements. The god of the sea, known as Poseidon or Neptune, is always seen holding a three-pronged fishing trident.
- American Indians have practiced spearfishing for more than 3,000 years. Fish were a key source of meat for many American Indian tribes and a vital food supplement all year-round. In temperate months, fishermen would take to the rivers and lakes in canoes to catch their prey. In winter, however, when the water became frozen over, the fishermen would cut small holes in the ice into which lures would be placed. A fish attracted to the lure would quickly be speared by the fisherman waiting above.
- Today, spearfishing has become a popular sport, particularly among free-divers, snorkelers and scuba divers. However, many fishermen throughout the world still use this traditional method for day-to-day hunting purposes. Despite a rise in the use of diving masks, spearguns and swimming fins, many indigenous Australians still spearfish in waist-deep water using traditional methods. Amazonian tribesmen of South America, meanwhile, still use spearfishing as one of their principal fishing methods. Multi-pointed fishing spears are used to great effect by these Amazonian hunters.
