Oxbow NWR Final CCP - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Chapter 3: Refuge and Resource Descriptions
(Dincauze 1974; Ritchie 1985). Increase in occupation could be a possible
correlation
with a period of climatic warming beginning approximately
5,000 years ago (Funk 1972). Single and multi-component campsites
were used for seasonal resource procurement activities. Sites from the
Late Archaic are well represented in the refuge area. The majority of
the sites in the refuge area appear to represent single or
multicomponent campsites utilized for seasonal resource procurement
activities. There are also a few quarry sites in the area that were used
for raw material procurement (Glover, 1993).
The Transitional Archaic period (3,600-2,500 BP) was characterized in
this area by the introduction of steatite (soapstone) vessels, and
eventually ceramics, toward the end of this period (O’Steen 1987).
Steatite vessels ceased to be manufactured with the introduction of
ceramic technology; however, steatite was still used for making stone
pipes (Ritchie 1985). Transitional Archaic sites in the refuge area are
rare. Slightly more common, but still under represented, are Early
Woodland sites.
Wild mushroom: Photo by Marijke
Holtrop
The Early Woodland period (3,000-1,600 BP) is generally under
represented in the regional archaeological record suggesting a
population decline and/or poorly documented tool assemblages. Evidence
for Woodland occupation of the Nashua River drainage comes from a small
number of Early Woodland period sites. Along with a suspected Early
Woodland deposition at several Late Archaic sites, diagnostic Meadowood
and Rossville projectile points have been identified in two private
collections (Glover 1993).
Middle Woodland period (1,650-1,000 BP) sites are more common
indicating an increase in population, which is observed throughout New
England. During this period, in this region, there were extensive longdistance
social and economic interaction spheres. Horticulture appeared
during this time and ceramics were commonplace. There was also a lot of
movement from people traveling throughout the Northeast at this time.
The Middle Woodland period activity in the Nashua drainage is
represented solely at the Reedy Meadow Brook site in Pepperell. The
deposition included diagnostic Fox Creek and Jack’s Reef projectile points
which were found in association with local and exotic stone debris including
materials from Labrador and Pennsylvania (Mahlstedt 1985).
The Late Woodland period (1,000-450 BP) in this region is marked by an
increase in ceramic production through improvements in technology. Some
populations may not be engaged in horticulture however. The Late
Woodland populations appear to be moderate around the refuge. Coastal
areas and semi-permanent settlements seemed to have been preferred and
larger groups lived in fortified villages. Late Woodland period artifacts
represented in the archaeological record include triangular levanna points,
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
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