Through the use of geology and palaeo-botany, scientists can reconstruct the early Maritime landscape as it was first encountered by the earliest Maritimers. Perhaps the most striking difference from present times was the changed coastline. The provinces of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were then joined as one. This ancient "province" of Northumbria supported human life and provided a land bridge across which the vegetation and animals spread into present day Prince Edward Island. The coastline at that time corresponded to what is now submerged at a depth of 30 to 50 m. Water levels gradually rose until the present coastline was reached between 4,000 and 5,000 years ago. As the ice melted and the oceans rose, the climate of the area gradually changed, becoming warmer and drier. The first tundra-like vegetation gave way to pine forests and, later, mixed forests of hardwood.
Courtesy: National Museum of Man, National Museums of Canada National Film Board of Canada
