CI[)l1:721 - Memorial University of Newfoundland DAI

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has limited the degree to which conclusive statements can be made about
prehistoric human behaviour.
This has led to differences in opinion regarding the chronology of the Maine­
Maritimes region. Debates hav,J been conducted regarding the origins of tool
traditions and the application of tradition names to particular parts of the region.
Parts of the cultural sequence may be considered open to interpretation.
The followJ1g overview of the chronology of the region wi. examine the Lale
Archaic through the Early cerarric Periods. Differing interpretations will be
included.
The Lale Archaic Period
The Late I\rchaic Period dales from approximately 6000-3500 B.P. (Table 1).
By this definition, this period overlaps into the Terminal Archaic Period by as
much as 500 years. Tlvee principal tool traditions have been associated with
the Late Archaic in the Maine-Maritimes region. These are the Maritime Archaic,
Laurentian Archaic. and Shield Archaic Traditions.
The Maritime Archaic Tradition draws its name from its geographic location
and that -because in every geographical area of its expression there seems to
have been some part, in most areas a major part, of the culture oriented to the
sea" (Tuck 1971: 350). Sites with excellent preservation, such as Port aux Choix
(Tuck 1971), Turner Farm (Bourque 1975, 1976; Bourque at al. 1984), and
Nevin (Byers 1979), include harpoon points, toggles, foreshafts, slate and bone