The recent Indian Cow Head complex occupation of the Northern Peninsula, Newfoundland : a geochemical investigation of Cow Head chert acquisition

Lavers, Dominique (2010) The recent Indian Cow Head complex occupation of the Northern Peninsula, Newfoundland : a geochemical investigation of Cow Head chert acquisition. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

This thesis examines the occurrence of Cow Head chert in Recent Indian Cow Head complex lithic assemblages from the Northern Peninsula, Newfoundland. Archaeological research conducted at St. Paul's Bay-2 provided information at a site-specific scale, whereas information collected from seven other, previously excavated Cow Head complex sites, provided a regional analysis. -- Drawing upon visual and trace element analysis in the form of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), the geochemical signature of Cow Head chert is first identified and then compared to artifacts sampled from eight sites. The identification of Cow Head chert in all eight lithic assemblages indicates that it was procured through direct and/or embedded procurement from outcrops to sites located within close proximity (50 km), whereas it was brought to sites located over 50 kilometres away from the nearest outcrop through indirect procurement. Based on these results three territorial ranges for the Cow Head complex occupation of the Northern Peninsula was identified.

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