FIELD METHODS: COLLECTING ANCIENT AND MODERN FISH BONES

We collected our ancient fish bone samples from middens at three different archaeological sites in the Penobscot Bay.

Middens are ancient garbage heaps where people have left remains from domestic activities, like cooking. Our sample middens are full of discarded mussel shells and fish bones, representative of the mainly marine diet of the local native people.

FIELD METHODS1. COLLECTING ANCIENT FISH BONES

FIELD METHODS1. COLLECTING ANCIENT FISH BONES

Over time, the contents of middens form distinct layers, or strata, that often represent distinct cultural changes. We can track changes in the local diet by tracking changes in the contents of the stratum from the deepest depth to the surface soil. The lowermost stratum reflects the oldest deposit, the uppermost the youngest.

FIELD METHODS1. COLLECTING ANCIENT FISH BONES

Over time, the contents of middens form distinct layers, or strata, that often represent distinct cultural changes. We can track changes in the local diet by tracking changes in the contents of the stratum from the deepest depth to the surface soil. The lowermost stratum reflects the oldest deposit, the uppermost the youngest.

Stratum 1

Stratum 2

Flounder

Cod

Sculpin

FIELD METHODS1. COLLECTING ANCIENT FISH BONES

In order to capture information about both the nearshore and offshore paleoenvironment of the Penobscot Bay regions, we specifically searched for the remains of one species of nearshore fish (flounder) and two species of offshore fish (cod and sculpin).

FIELD METHODS1. COLLECTING ANCIENT FISH BONES

While searching for ancient fish bones and other food remains in the middens, we also found these bone artifacts: hand-carved fish hooks. They help confirm that fish was a major part of the local diet at the time they were deposited. The large hooks are well suited to catch cod, while the smaller ones would be useful for catching flounder.

FIELD METHODS1. COLLECTING MODERN FISH BONES

We collected modern fish bones of cod and sculpin (offshore species) and flounder (nearshore species) in close proximity to the Penobscot Bay. We also bought samples of offshore species from the Harbor Fish Market in Portland.

Flounder

Cod

Sculpin