The Oxbow Site : chronology and prehistory in northeastern New Brunswick

Allen, Patricia Marlene (1980) The Oxbow Site : chronology and prehistory in northeastern New Brunswick. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (40MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

Although a brief outline of events can be offered concerning our earlier prehistoric periods, the limited extent and somewhat biased nature of archaeological research in the Maritime provinces is reflected in the lack of an established chronological framework for our most recent prehistoric past. This scarcity of ordered information concerning the "ceramic period" is of major concern as it would appear that the greater number of our maritime sites from this time have already been completely erased by coastal submergence. Prior to attempting to unravel any specific anthropological problems pertaining to this most recent period, regional cultural chronologies must first be worked out. -- During the summer of 1978 excavations were conducted on a deeply stratified multi-component occupation site located in the Miramichi River district of Northeastern New Brunswick. Analysis of the excavated information from the Oxbow site indicates a near continuous ceramic period occupation. Using the techniques of radiocarbon dating, ceramic seriation and stratigraphic examination, a 2800 year old chronological framework based on projectile point types and ceramic attributes, has been established. Although materials from an additional 1979 excavation season have not yet been studied in detail, important 1979 discoveries have been used to fortify the 1978 findings. -- Using the Oxbow chronological framework as a basis for comparison archaeological collections from both the Maritimes and other adjacent Northeastern areas were examined. This spatial and temporal distribution study of projectile point types and ceramic attributes has offered some explanations for the abrupt changes and the trends that are reflected at the Oxbow site. -- Evidence suggests that "Vinette 1" does not begin the ceramic sequence in this area although a full-fledged ceramic utilization has begun prior to 2600 BP. Further, it can be suggested that New Brunswick received two actual population infiltrations from areas to the south and west at approximately 2600 BP and again at 2100 BP. Additionally it has been proposed that the peoples of the most recent infiltration are directly ancestral to the present day native populations of northeastern New Brunswick.

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