Abstract

The principal objective of this paper is to present new evidence concerning the Iroquoian occupation of the lowlands east of Quebec City. For the last three years, we have investigated more than twenty prehistoric sites in the Cap Tourmente area but I will concentrate here on eight Late Woodland sites. Most of the Iroquoian sites arc located on the first available terrace emerging from the Saint Lawrence River. The geographical setting of these settlements indicates a pattern of fishing stations regularly distributed on a stretch of 4 km along the lower terrace. The discovery of a small 16th century village, containing at least 4 longhouses, in the same enviromnent as the smaller fishing camps is intriguing. On the basis of this new Iroquoian cluster and its characteristics, we will dis-cuss the settlement pattern and the related adaptive system of these northern farmers.