Abstract

The Grand Manan Archaeology Project was conducted during the summer of 1995, and entailed collections research, survey and excavations conducted in the Grand Manan Archipelago, in southwestern New Brunswick. Research into private and public (museum) collections revealed traces of settlement extending back into the Archaic period. Extensive foot surveys and the partial excavation of two prehistoric archaeological sites augmented this information. The Newton's Point site (BeDq-11), a shell-free coastal site, produced lithic debitage and cultural material dating to the Late Maritime Woodland period (approximately 1,000 years ago). The identification of imported (exotic) and local materials suggests the role that Grand Manan played in the regional trade networks that developed during the Late Woodland period. The Baird site (BdDq-3) is an extensive, shallow shell-bearing site composed of several Maritime Woodland and historic period components. In addition, several previously unrecorded prehistoric archaeological sites were identified, but not excavated. This paper will present preliminary results of the Grand Manan Archaeology Project, and discuss the implications of this research for regional culture history.