Maritime Archaic facts for kids

The Maritime Archaic refers to a group of ancient people who lived along the coasts of Newfoundland, the Canadian Maritimes, and northern New England in North America. They were part of a larger period called the Late Archaic period. These skilled sea-mammal hunters lived in a cool, subarctic climate and used wooden boats to travel and hunt.

Their culture began around 7000 BC and lasted for a very long time, even into the 18th century. We know about them from sites found as far south as Maine and as far north as Labrador.

The Maritime Archaic People

Who Were They?

The Maritime Archaic people were expert hunters and gatherers who relied heavily on the ocean for their food. They hunted sea mammals like seals and whales, and also fished. Their homes included large longhouses, which were long, shared houses, and sometimes temporary shelters made from their boats.

They were also involved in long-distance trade. For example, archaeologists have found white chert (a type of stone) from northern Labrador at sites as far south as Maine. This shows they traveled and exchanged goods over vast distances.

Amazing Discoveries: The Port au Choix Site

One of the most important places where we've learned about the Maritime Archaic people is a burial site in Newfoundland called Port au Choix. This site is famous for having over 100 graves. Many of these graves were decorated with red ochre, a natural pigment that gives a reddish color.

The graves at Port au Choix contained many amazing artifacts. These included sharp bone points, daggers made from ivory, antler, or bone, and special toggling harpoons used for hunting sea animals. They also found clothing decorated with shell beads, and even a burial suit made from more than 200 skins of the now-extinct great auk bird.

These discoveries suggest that the Maritime Archaic society was quite organized and complex. Some people might have had more important roles or wealth, as shown by the elaborate items buried with them.

What We Know From DNA

Scientists have used DNA research to learn more about the Maritime Archaic people. In 2017, a study compared the DNA of many ancient individuals. It looked at 19 individuals from the Beothuk people (who lived in Newfoundland later), 53 Maritime Archaic individuals, and two Paleo-Eskimo individuals.

The study found that the Maritime Archaic people were not genetically related to the Inuit or the Beothuk Indians, even though these groups later lived in the same areas. This research helps us understand the different groups of people who lived in North America over thousands of years.

The Mystery of the Red Ochre Culture

Another interesting find linked to the Maritime Archaic are the "Red Ochre Culture" burials found in the Northeast United States. These burials also contain white chert artifacts, similar to those found at other Maritime Archaic sites.

Some scholars believe these "Red Ochre Culture" burials might represent the very last stages of the Maritime Archaic period. However, this idea is still being discussed and debated among experts.