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

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and Coastal Plain (Pounds 1971: 85, Figure 22). Generally, the Interior of the
study area is mountainous with a decline in elevation towards the sea coast,
although this is not true throughout. The relief zones are shown in FlQure 3.
A variety of waterways are available to provide both transportation and
ecological zones for exploitation. Maine has more than 2200 lakes and ponds
and over 5100 rivers and streams (Bearse 1969: 4). Principal among the river
drainages are the Penobscot, 51. Croix (shared with New Brunswick), Kennebec,
Androscoggin, and Aroostook Rivers. New Brunswick also offers several river
drainages, inclUding the St. John, Miramichi, Tobique. Restigouche. and
Ridlibucto Rivers. Access to the remainder of the Northeast is available via
the Stlawrence River or portages via the river dralnges in Maine to those 01
New York state and Ohio.
The sea coast offers a considerable number of sheltered bays and
estuaries, which may be V1ustrated using the coast of Maine. The direct
distance between Maine's northeflo; and southerly coastal boundaries is c. 370
km. while the distance along the coast, tracing along tx.:ys and inlets, is 6000
km (Hay and Farb 1966: 35). The present coastline does not accurately renect
that of the time period in question, however, due to sea level change.
The pl'ysical diversity of the study area presents a broad variety 01
ecological zones for exploitation by prehistoric peoples. This may be seen in
the variety found in faunal assemblages recovered from sites in the region (e.g.
Bourque 1975; Bonnichsen and sanger 1977; Yesner 1984; Deal 1986). A tist
of faunal remains from New Brunswick and Maine sites is presented in Appendix