Archaeological evidence indicates that the Maritimes’ earliest human inhabitants may have arrived in the Maritimes about 11,000 years ago. One thing we do know, is that it is likely that these ancient hunters followed migrating caribou herds. Their scraping tools and arrowheads have been uncovered at the Mi’kmawey, Paleo Indian site in Debert, Nova Scotia.

Evidence of people living at Bear River is more recent, and dates between 2,000 and 4,000 years. Tools such as stone chips, points, scrapers, and bone harpoons have been unearthed at various sites.

Our ancestors depended on raw materials found in nature to survive. Dwellings, called wigwams, were made out of a frame of spruce poles covered by birch bark sheeting. Birch bark was also used to make canoes for transportation. Tools were made from animal bone, teeth and claw. Animal skins were tanned and worked to make clothing, such as tunics, cloaks, leggings and moccasins.

Our people harvested food from land and water. We hunted moose, bear and beaver in the forests, and gathered wild berries, vegetables and birds’ eggs from barrens and marshland areas. Clams, mussels and marine mammals such as seals and porpoises were also plentiful in the Bay of Fundy.

Photo Credits
Top: Stephen Davis, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax
Bottom: Learning Resources and Technology / Nova Scotia Department of Education