In anthropology and archaeology, a bag net is a type of fishing implement consisting of a net attached to a frame or held open by stakes, designed to trap fish as water currents carry them into the bag-shaped enclosure. It is a traditional technology found in many riverine, coastal, and lacustrine societies.

🌍 Definition

• Bag Net: A funnel- or bag-shaped fishing net, often fixed in place, that captures fish moving with currents or tides.
• Structure: Usually made of woven fibers (plant, animal, or synthetic in modern times) and supported by poles or frames.
• Function: Passive fishing gear—fish swim into the net and are trapped.

🔑 Anthropological Contexts

• Ethnography:
  • Bag nets are widely used in South Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
  • Example: In India, dol nets (a type of bag net) are used in estuaries and tidal rivers.
• Archaeology:
  • Ancient fishing gear rarely survives, but impressions of netting or associated weights suggest bag-net use.
• Material Culture:
  • Nets often made from local fibers (hemp, flax, palm, sinew), reflecting ecological adaptation.
• Subsistence Strategies:
  • Bag nets allow communities to exploit tidal flows, rivers, and seasonal fish migrations efficiently.

📚 Importance in Anthropology

• Technological Insight: Demonstrates ingenuity in harnessing natural currents for food procurement.
• Cultural Identity: Fishing gear often reflects local traditions, ecological knowledge, and craftsmanship.
• Economic Role: Bag nets support subsistence and small-scale commercial fishing.
• Comparative Value: Highlights differences between passive gear (bag nets, traps) and active gear (spears, hooks).

In short: A bag net is a traditional fishing device shaped like a funnel or bag, used to trap fish with currents, reflecting ecological adaptation and cultural ingenuity.