Radiocarbon Age of the Damariscotta Shell Heaps

Abstract

The large oyster shell heaps on both sides of the Damariscotta River, just north of the towns of Damariscotta and Newcastle, Maine, have been known for many years and both geologists and archaeologists have speculated about their age. During the summer of 1955 I made 2 collections of Mya shells from the largest shell heap on the west side of the river (Glidden estate) for radiocarbon age determinations.