This imaginary event of 5,000 years ago, captured by the artist, is indirectly based upon archaeological evidence. In the Gulf of St. Lawrence and environs small fish called capelin spawn early in summer in uncounted millions. In the process enormous numbers become stranded on beaches. Such a readily available food resource would not have been overlooked by Maritime Archaic people and, indeed, their major archaeological sites are frequently located beside such "spawning" beaches. During this period of enormous concentrations of capelin other predators such as cod, salmon, grey seal, and even whale would have been near at hand and would have represented another attraction for humans. Sun dried or smoked capelin may also have been stored for use when other food supplies were scarce and could well have been a key element in Maritime Archaic culture subsistence. Since the fish is eaten in its entirety no direct evidence of its use appears in the archaeological sites. Such are the limitations of the archaeological record.
Courtesy: Canadian Museum of Civilization, National Museums of Canada and National Film Board of Canada
