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Northeast Subsistence-Settlement Change: A.D. 700 –1300

Northeast Subsistence-Settlement Change: A.D. 700 –1300

Northeast Subsistence-Settlement Change: A.D. 700 –1300

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Table 17.1. Chronological and Ceramic Periods Referred to in Text.<br />

Ceramic Periods for the Maritimes & Maine 1<br />

General Cultural Periods for New Brunswick<br />

CP 7 (Contact) ca. 400-200 B.P.<br />

Protohistoric ca. 500-400 B.P.<br />

CP 6 (late Late Woodland) ca. 650-400 B.P. -<br />

CP 5 (early Late Woodland) ca. 950-650 B.P.<br />

Late Woodland ca. 1000-500 B.P.<br />

CP 4 (late Middle Woodland) ca. 1350-950 B.P. -<br />

CP 3 (middle Middle Woodland) ca. 1650-1350 B.P. -<br />

CP 2 (early Middle Woodland) ca. 2150-1650 B.P.<br />

Middle Woodland ca. 2000-1000 B.P.<br />

CP 1 (Early Woodland) ca. 3050-2150 B.P.<br />

Early Woodland ca. 3000-2000 B.P.<br />

Pre-ceramic<br />

Late Archaic ca. 5000-3000 B.P.<br />

1 Ceramic periods follow Petersen and Sanger (1991). Note that the Saint John River sequence has recently been revised<br />

by Bourgeois (1999).<br />

major waterways for the early historic Mik’maq,<br />

Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy, respectively (see<br />

Figure 17.1). Palynological studies indicate that there<br />

was a change in the forests of New Brunswick around<br />

2000 B. P., which was characterized by a deterioration<br />

of the former closed, mesic, temperate hardwoodhemlock<br />

forests (Rutherford 1991:104). The change<br />

included increased numbers of spruce (Picea spp.),<br />

alder (Alnus spp.), and hazel (Corylus cornuta); and a<br />

decrease in eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), beech<br />

(Fagus grandifolia), and birch (Betula spp.). Today, most<br />

of New Brunswick falls within the Acadian Forest<br />

Region, in which red spruce (Picea rubens), balsam fir<br />

(Abies balsamea), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis),<br />

and sugar maple (Acer saccharum) are dominant<br />

species, with lesser amounts of red pine (Pinus<br />

resinosa) and white pine (Pinus strobus; Rowe 1959).<br />

Northern New Brunswick forests are more of a mixed<br />

nature, showing a transition between a boreal forest,<br />

dominated by conifers, and the more deciduous forest<br />

to the south. Dominant species include white and red<br />

pine, eastern hemlock, and yellow birch.<br />

In a now classic study of prehistoric settlement<br />

patterning in New Brunswick, W. F. Ganong (1904)<br />

recognized that resource availability and diversity<br />

were closely integrated with aboriginal settlement<br />

location and size. At that time there was very little<br />

archaeological information on resource use to compare<br />

with the ethnohistoric record. Some evidence<br />

was obtained through the study of traditional placenames.<br />

For example, Ganong (1915:416) identified<br />

“Passamaquoddy” as a corrupted version of a Native<br />

name for an outer portion of the modern<br />

Passamaquoddy Bay, between Campebello and Deer<br />

Islands, that refers to the abundance of pollock in that<br />

area. Ganong recognized that sites were located along<br />

navigable waterways, such as main branches of large<br />

rivers and at the mouths of these rivers at the coast.<br />

Travel was by canoe and the main river and lake systems<br />

were connected by short portages, which continued<br />

to be used into the Historic period (Ganong 1901,<br />

1913a, 1913b, 1914; also Finley 1996). He suggested that<br />

prehistoric peoples established habitation and campsites<br />

according to the most important resources along<br />

these waterways, then looked for certain requisite conditions<br />

for habitation (Ganong 1899, 1904). These criteria<br />

included a well-drained and dry site location, with<br />

an adequate canoe landing area, preferably in an<br />

exposed location for viewing approaching parties and<br />

to allow a breeze to remove insects (Ganong 1904:24-<br />

26). Also important was access to fresh spring water for<br />

drinking, firewood, and a grove of white birch for construction<br />

purposes. Ganong’s (1904:23-24) principal<br />

resources were listed as “environmental factors affecting<br />

settlement.” His general categories are still relevant<br />

today, although he gave priority to faunal<br />

resources over floral and inorganic resources. Today<br />

we recognise that settlement location and mobility can<br />

also be socially or politically motivated, yet sociopolitical<br />

conditions are not easily determined from the<br />

archaeological record (see Kelly 1992).<br />

Floral Resources<br />

Archaeologists in the Maritimes have only been<br />

actively collecting prehistoric plant remains since the<br />

1980s. Archaeological specimens consist primarily of<br />

macrobotanical materials, such as charred seeds, nutshells,<br />

and plant fibers. A classic paper by Gorham<br />

(1943) deals with the interpretation of charred plum<br />

Chapter 17 Aboriginal Land and Resource Use in New Brunswick During the Late Prehistoric and Early Contact Periods 323

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