European Flat Oyster (Ostrea edulis L.) in the Eastern Baltic as Evidence of Long-Distance Trade in Medieval and Early Modern Times

Along most of the European littoral, oysters were appreciated as a wholesome and palatable food from Stone Age onwards, yet transported much further their natural habitats when long-distance trade in marine foodstuffs began medieval times. The brackish waters Baltic Sea are not considered suitable environment for this mollusc, therefore all archaeological oyster shell finds result import to eastern Baltic. In study, over 1000 shells found different early modern contexts Estonia analysed, obtained data recorded repository. Some conclusions set out, based on size shape, breakage traces, but more detailed taphonomic studies left future. This study identifies earliest imports by material written sources. Both show records earlier than 16th century AD. Although no information is preserved about exact origin imported Estonia, beds probably exploited those central North Sea, i.e., Wadden Sea.