Shellfish A Major Food Staple in Late Prehistoric Times.
Coastal regions of the Maritimes rich in shellfish were once popular camping areas for prehistoric man. Accumulations of discarded shells, called by archaeologists shell middens or "kitchen middens", are found in all three Maritime provinces, but are especially abundant in coastal Nova Scotia and southern New Brunswick areas most affected by tidal change. Archaeological exploration of ancient campsites began in the late nineteenth century, especially through work undertaken by the National Museum, with the research of W.J. Wintemberg. This illustration shows Wintemberg and his crew in the process of excavating a large shell midden at Merigomish (Nova Scotia), which was occupied in the period between 600 to 1,200 years ago. Shell middens have been found along many parts of Prince Edward Island's north coast. Many of those documented by Wintemberg have since disappeared or have suffered from shoreline erosion and farming practices. Several 1,000-year-old sites on the northeastern shore of the province reflect the importance of marine resources to prehistoric people.
Courtesy: National Museum of Man, National Museums of Canada
