Contact
Description
The Fish Remains Working Group (FRWG) of the International Council for Archaeozoology (ICAZ) will hold its 23rd Meeting from September 28th to October 3rd in Nice, hosted by the CEPAM laboratory (CNRS). The members of the Fish Remains Working Group form an interdisciplinary consortium of researchers (archaeozoologists, archaeologists, zoologists, ichthyologists, historians, and fisheries biologists) interested in the study of fish remains found at archaeological sites worldwide. The meeting will showcase the diversity of approaches, geographical areas, chronological periods, and themes, from the historical fluctuations of aquatic ecosystems to the diverse ways humans have exploited marine and freshwater environments through time. Fishing, fish farming, and the trade of fresh or preserved fish are just a few examples of economic activities centered on this essential resource. Furthermore, fish consumption may have had symbolic or religious significance in many cultures around the world. A particular focus will be placed on the historical dynamics of fisheries resources and the ecological impacts of fishing at various scales.
About the FRWG Nice 2026 logo
The FRWG Nice 2026 logo is inspired by the name of the bay of Nice, called « Baie des Anges » (Bay of Angels). According to local history, the local fishermen gave this name to the bay, in relation to the angelsharks brought back in their nets. Francis Gag (1900-1988), a writer from Nice, documented a recurring tradition involving local fishermen and a species of shark. In this tradition, fishermen would transport a shark on a cart. This shark, referred to as “lu pei ange” (angel fish), was showcased by a fisherman’s wife who would exclaim, “Venés, vèire la marrida bestiassa que desstrugue lu aret dòu paure pescadou!” (Come, come and see the bad beast that destroys the poor fisherman’s nets!). The sharks in question are identified as smooth back angelshark. (From Wikipedia; Gag, Francis; Arnulf, Françoise (1985). Nice au fil des jours et des saisons (in French). Alp’Azur; Fredj, Gaston; Meinardi, Michel (2007). L’ange & l’orchidée: Risso, Vérany & Barla : une lignée de savants de renommée mondiale à Nice au XIXe siècle.Serre).
Call for Papers (abstracts and deadlines)
The 2026 ICAZ Fish Remains Working Group (FRWG) Conference Organizing Committee invites abstract submissions for oral and poster presentations at the upcoming conference in Nice, France (September 28 to October 3, 2026).
Submission deadline : 30th May
Abstracts of 300 to 500 words should be written in English and accompanied by 5 keywords. Paper presentations will be limited to 15 minutes in length, and they will be followed by a 5-minute question-and-answer round.
Abstract submission should be undertaken by the author whose name appears first in the list of authors on the paper or poster, and this author must register for the conference (for attendance in-person or online). All communication regarding the conference presentation and program will be directed to this author. Authors who are not the lead author but will participate physically at the conference, should also register.
Schedule and Program
The tentative schedule for the conference is as follows:
- Monday, September 28, 2026; Conference sessions/papers (approximately 9:00am to 5:00pm), opening keynote lecture followed by opening cocktail dinner (included in fees)
- Tuesday, September 29, 2026; Conference sessions/papers (approximately 9:00am to 5:00pm) and keynote lecture
- Wednesday, September 30, 2026; Poster session (morning); in-town excursion (afternoon); conference banquet upon registration (approximately 7:00pm to 9:30pm;) and announcement of poster prize
- Thursday, October 1, 2026; Conference sessions/papers (approximately 9:00am to 5:00pm), farewell drinks (not included in fees)
- Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3, 2026 – Post-conference excursion (upon registration)
Registration
Registration includes buffet lunches and coffee breaks for in-person attendees during the four session days (September 28 to October 1, 2026), as well as the opening cocktail dinner.
- Standard registration €220.00
- Student registration €120.00
- Conference banquet (September 30, 2026) €61.00
- Post-conference excursion from the 2nd to the 3rd of october (including hotel, lunches and dinner, tickets to visits) €220.00
Registration available on the site via the button
We are pleased to offer a limited number of travel grants to support PhD students and early-career researchers, with priority given to applicants from emerging countries, who are unable to fully finance their participation in the conference.
About ICAZ and the FRWG
The International Council for Archaeozoology (ICAZ) is a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting archaeozoological research of the highest scientific standards and fostering communication among the international community of archaeozoologists. ICAZ members number more than 550 individuals from 62 countries, all with the common interest of understanding past relationships between humans and animals. (from the ICAZ Website)
The Fish Remains Working Group (FRWG) was created during an informal meeting held at the Zoological Museum of the University of Copenhagen in 1980. Its members are an interdisciplinary consortium of researchers (archaeozoologists, archaeologists, zoologists, ichthyologists, historians, and fishery biologists) interested not only in the study of fish remains retrieved in archaeological sites from around the world, but also on any matter dealing with fishing, the fish trade, and fish consumption in prehistoric and historic times. (from the FRWG Website)
Conference Venue and Maps
About the CEPAM and archeo-ichtyology unit
The CEPAM (Cultures et Environnements. Préhistoire, Antiquité, Moyen Âge) laboratory is a joint research unit (UMR 7264) affiliated with the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the Université Côte d’Azur. Based in Nice, France, CEPAM is dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of past societies, their environments, and their cultural evolution from prehistory to the Middle Ages. The laboratory brings together researchers from various disciplines, including archaeology, anthropology, geosciences, and bioarchaeology, to explore the interactions between humans and their environments over time.
Within CEPAM, the archaeo-ichtyology unit stands out as a pioneering center for the study of ancient fish remains. Founded by Jean Desse and Nathalie Desse-Berset, this unit has become a reference in the field of zooarchaeology, specializing in the analysis of fish bones from archaeological sites. Their work, spanning from the Western Atlantic and Mediterranean Europe to the Middle East and South Asia, has significantly advanced our understanding of past fishing practices, diet, and contributed to broader research on ancient economies, trade, and human-environment interactions. The unit is renowned for its fishbone comparative collection, one of the most extensive in Europe, which serves as an essential reference for identifying and interpreting fish remains from archaeological contexts. This collection, meticulously curated over decades, includes more than 1600 specimens from the Mediterranean, Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, as well as freshwater species from Europe, Asia and Africa, enabling precise taxonomic identifications.
The FRWG Meeting comes back to the Côte d’Azur after the 14th Meeting held in 2007 in Antibes in honor of Jean Desse and Natalie Desse-Berset (https://www.cepam.cnrs.fr/publications/collections-cepam/actes-des-rencontres-internationales-darcheologie-et-dhistoire-dantibes/599-archeologie-du-poisson-30-ans-darcheo-ichtyologie-au-cnrs/).
Welcome to Nice
Famous for its stunning Belle Époque architecture, Nice is one of the most vibrant and captivating cities in the South of France. Bathed in sunshine and nestled along the Mediterranean coast, this cosmopolitan destination beautifully blends French elegance with Italian charm. For over two centuries, visitors have been drawn to Nice for its breathtaking seafront, rich culture, and relaxed lifestyle.
Stretching along the iconic curve of the Bay of Angels, the city invites you to stroll beneath swaying palm trees, admire its colourful façades, and soak up the lively atmosphere. From world-class museums and art galleries to chic boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and charming cafés, every corner of Nice offers something to discover and enjoy.
Just beyond the city, rolling hills rise gently toward the Alps, offering spectacular views and a refreshing escape into nature, less than 50 kilometres away. Perched between the Port of Nice and the Bay of Villefranche, Cap de Nice is an exclusive and peaceful area dotted with elegant villas and lush greenery. Nearby, Mont Boron National Park provides scenic walking trails, panoramic viewpoints, and a historic hilltop fort, perfect for those seeking both relaxation and adventure.
Maps of the different places of the FRWG 2026 conference
coming soon…
Accommodations
You will find below a selection of hotels and restaurants in Nice, ideally located near the main conference venues, to help make your stay more convenient :
coming soon…
Banquet
Where: Hôtel Le Saint Paul, 29 Bd Franck Pilatte, 06300, Nice
When: Wednesday, 30 september, from 7:00pm to 9:30pm
The Hôtel Le Saint Paul is situated near to Nice’s port with a beautiful view on the Mediterranean Sea. The dinner will be a sit-down event and will take place in the dining room of the hotel.
- This room has air conditioning and is wheelchair accessible.
- The cost, of €61 per person, includes a french aperitif and appetizers, one starter, one main course, desert, a glass of red wine or white wine, and coffee or tea
- There will be options for pescatarians, vegetarians, and vegans. Please fill the relevant form upon registration or contact us, especially if you have food allergies.
Excursion
The tentative schedule for the post-conference excursion on October 2 and 3, 2026 is as follows:
Friday, October 2:
- Departure from Nice at 8am
- First stop at an aquaculture farm (Golfe-Juan). Arrival at Cannes
- Lérins islands: visit of the Ecomuseum and the archeological site on the island, discussion with ecologists in charge of the marine protected area. A picnic will be take on the island and possibly swimming (depend of the conditions)
- Take the road to the National Natural Parc of Port-Cros (Hyères)
- Arrival at Porquerolles island, dinner at the hotel
Saturday, October 3:
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Encounter with the fishers of the National Parc of Port-Cros and the scientific team in charge of the parc. Light lunch
- Take the road to Marseille
- Visit of the Marégraphe de Marseille (instrument measuring sea level changes) and of the Cosquer Museum
- Return to Nice at the end of the afternoon
Organizing Team
- Tatiana Theodoropoulou
- Aurélia Borvon
- Aymeric Vignier
- Audrey Marguin
- Gabriele Carenti
Supporting Partners
