Archeology Report of the New Brunswick sector of Gespegewagig

What is Archaeology

—        In Archaeology, an artifact is any object made or modified by a human culture, and often one later recovered by some archaeological endeavour.

—        Examples include stone tools such as projectile points, pottery vessels, metal objects such as buttons or guns, and items of personal adornment such as jewellery and clothing.

—        Other examples include bone that show signs of human modification, fire cracked rocks from a hearth or plant material used for food.

 

Why Study Archaeology

—        Artifacts prove presence on the land;

—        Archaeologists have methods to date artifacts and hypothesize on usage;

—        Archaeology is important to Mi’gmaq to prove presence on the land previous to European contact;

—        In order to prove Aboriginal title, the current law in Canada requires Mi’gmaq to prove continuous use of the land they claim;

—        Methods to prove title:

¡     Oral history, archaeology, anthropology, and history

 

Archaeology

—        Limits of Archaeology

¡     Can only study artifacts which can withstand decomposition;

¡     Not all artifacts survive;

¡     Examination of artifacts that survive decomposition only give partial perspective of peoples who created artifact.

 

Archaeology in Gespegewagig

—        Clues to Cultural Identity of Artifacts

¡     Shape

¡     Surface details

—        Artifacts shows cultures have adapted to changing circumstances

 

Key Archaeologists Studied Gespe’gawa’qi

—        Martijn (1968)

¡     Finds stored in Fredericton at the NB Archaeological Services

¡     Artifacts found in Pokemouche River

—        Buxton Keenlyside (1970)

¡     Finds stored in Archaeological Survey of Canada in Hull

¡     Artifacts found in 30 sites in Tracadie area;

—        Burley (1974)

¡     Finds stored in Fredericton at the NB Archaeological Services

¡     Artifacts found in Miramichi River

—        Allen (1982a)

¡     Finds stored in Fredericton at the NB Archaeological Services

¡     Artifacts found in Oxbow site Miramichi river

—        Ferguson (1983)

¡     Finds stored in Fredericton at the NB Archaeological Services

¡     Artifacts found in North Saint-Simon Bay and Miscou Island

—        Keenlyside (1990)

¡     Finds stored in Fredericton at the NB Archaeological Services

 

Paleoindian Arrival in Gespe’gawa’qi

—        The earliest human inhabitants of the Gespe’gawa’qi are the Mi'gmaq, but to archaeologists they are the Paleoindians.

—        Archaeologists date occupation about 12,000 BP (Before Present Age)

—        Clovis Point (Fluted Point) is distinctive stone found during this period from Arizona to Nova Scotia (Debert);

—        What is knowne about Paleoindians

¡     Were efficient pioneers

¡     Able to locate key natural resources required for survival;

—        Numerous Paleoindian sites found to exist in Maritimes Peninsula;

 

Distinctive Finds

—        Clovis Point

—        12,000 BP

—        Hogan-Mullin point (refers to illustrations in paper would insert beside each of these..if I had an example).

—        Kingsclear point

—        Southern Gulf Points

—        Debert type points

—        St. Anne points

 

Archaic Adaption (Early 8000-6000 BP; Middle 6500-5500BP; and Late (5500 to 3400BP)

—        Ground Stone Tools Appear including axes and gouges;

—        Dugout canoes;

—        Harpoons;

—        Stemmed projectile points

—        Finds in Southwest Miramichi (Gerrish site)

¡     Red ochre

 

Woodland Period (3400- 2700 BP)

—        Early Woodland Period

—        Miramichi Area:

¡     Copper artifacts and pottery (insert figure 27).

—        Middle Woodland Period

¡     Pottery thinner with finer grit and decorated with impressions;

—        Late Woodland Period

¡     Pottery decorated with twigs and cord. 

 

Climate and Population

—        Human population may have expanded during Late Woodland period

 

Copper Sites

—        Copper Sites

—        Augsutine Mound

—        Shediac Bay, NB

¡     Yielded copper nuggets, showing evidence of hammering and folding, blanks, sheet stock, rod-stocked artifacts and tubular beads

 

Conclusion

—        Range of artifacts and sites covered in report provide a basis for determining extent, duration and nature of Mi’gmaq occupation in Gaspe region.