Abstract

The recent excavation of four raised beach sites in Gwaii Haanas, Haida Gwaii produced a large assemblage of lithic tools and debitage dating to between 5000 and 9300 years ago. This new, well-dated data set allows for a more diachronically extensive and culturally detailed interpretation of the human history of Haida Gwaii. This paper will discuss the interaction between these early cultures and their environment as reflected in their tool kits, their preferred manufacturing techniques, and their lithic waste, with the intent of commenting on cultural stability and change in the Early Period/Moresby Tradition of Haida Gwaii.