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Maritime Archaic

The Maritime Archaic was a Late Archaic cultural complex of subarctic sea-mammal hunters along the Atlantic coasts of Newfoundland, the Canadian Maritimes, and northern New England, notable for long-distance trade and elaborate mortuary practices.

Disappeared from the archaeological record by approximately 1200 BCE (3200 BP), most likely displaced by southward-expanding Palaeo-Eskimo populations who arrived in northern Labrador around 2000 BCE; no direct named successor polity.

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Further reading

• Ancient North America Brian M. Fagan · 1991

  Covers Maritime Archaic as part of the broader Late Archaic survey.

• The Cambridge History of the Native Peoples of the Americas Bruce G. Trigger and Wilcomb E. Washburn (eds.) · 1996

  Scholarly reference for Atlantic Canada Archaic peoples.

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Sources

• Wikipedia, 'Maritime Archaic' (Q2860021), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritime_Archaic — article states began ~7000 BC, lasted until ~3500 BC (when Paleo-Eskimo groups arrived); describes sea-mammal hunters using wooden boats, longhouses, and engaging in long-distance trade.
• Wikidata Q2860021; description: 'Subarctic Maritime sea-mammal hunter culture existing from approx 7000 BC to 18th century'.
• Maritime Archaic Tradition — heritage.nf.ca; Maritime Archaic — Wikipedia