Prehistoric cultures, reconstructed coasts: Maritime Archaic Indian site distribution in Newfoundland

Abstract

We argue that variable and complex post-glacial relative sea level (RSL) in Newfoundland is linked to (1) the uneven distribution around the coastline of late Maritime Archaic Indian (MAI) sites (5500–3200 bp) and (2) the apparent absence of early MAI sites (8000–5500 bp), despite their presence in nearby southern Labrador. Three post-glacial RSL histories are described for different regions of Newfoundland: continuous emergence (type A), initial emergence followed by submergence (type B) and continuous submergence (type C). In areas characterized by type B or C curves, where the lowstand is greater than 20m water depth, late MAI sites older than 3000 bp are today submerged. In all areas other than those characterized by a type A curve, early MAI sites would be under water. The Northern Peninsula is the only region of Newfoundland described by a type A curve. If early MAI did occupy Newfoundland, we predict where on the Northern Peninsula those sites would be found.