Abstract

A large sample of faunal remains from a shell midden on Great Spruce Island in the Roque Island Archipelago along the Downeast Coast of Maine (USA) has allowed several avenues of study to be implemented. This faunal assemblage represents a unique collection of terrestrial and marine species ranging from large sea mammals (unidentified whale) to large ungulates to small fish remains. This collection offers a unique opportunity to examine a seasonal occupation of an insular environment by the First Peoples of northern New England during the Ceramic (Woodland) period of 3,000 to roughly 1,000 years B.P. However, although a reconstruction of the maritime adaptation will be attempted, several distinct taphonomic issues are present within this assemblage. The sample consists of bulk unit gross-screened samples as well as fine-screened samples. Each of these yields different results as small bones, such as fish vertebrae of tom cod (Microgadus tomcod) tend to be under-represented in the bulk samples. Taphonomic processes include carnivore activity, excavation strategies, inherent preservation issues related to the bone density and varying soil pH throughout the midden. Shell middens in northern New England are not uniform deposits of shell and several lenses and strata on low or non-shell are present that create a significantly different preservational environment.