Archaeological evidence is extremely limited for a group of ancient peoples classified as the"Early Archaic” and "Middle Archaic” complex. They existed between 8,000 and 4,000 BC. and as with other extremely early peoples many sites have been lost due to erosion, human interference and changing sea or lake levels. This prevents archaeologists from finding enough information to officially classify Early and Middle Archaic as cultures, so they use the term "complex".

The following clues are what we do know about regions where Early Archaic complex has been found.

EASTERN EARLY ARCHAIC

Archaeological sites indicating an eastern branch of Archaic peoples have been found in coastal Labrador and Quebec, along the north coast of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Typically these sites are small indicating they were used by only a few families at a time. They date around 7000 BP. Only stone artifacts such as projectile points, scrapers, and knives have been found. Evidence shows that stones were heated and used to cook food and boil water. This was a different cooking method than was used by the Palaeo-Indians.

The physical environment and climate during this time period also reveals clues about day-to-day life. Most Eastern Early Archaic sites have been found on beaches so it is assumed that the people traveled to the coast at key seasonal times to hunt marine resources like seal. Climate conditions would have been ideal to support caribou, bear and wolves--all good sources of food and skins for clothing and shelter.

Eastern Early Archaic information is limited. We will probably never know if these people lived in all four of the Atlantic Provinces because rising sea levels since that time would have destroyed many possible sites. Archaeologists are not sure of the origins of the Eastern Early Archaic people. Were they descendants of Palaeo-Indians that lived in the area? Or were they a new group that came from the northern United States and eventually became the ancestors of Maritime culture?

CENTRAL EARLY ARCHAIC

The Central Early Archaic complex, also known as the Hi-Low Complex, was predominantly found in Michigan and northwestern Ohio. However, the Central Early Archaic also seemed to inhabit a small territory in southern Ontario, between Lake Huron and the northern shore of Lake Erie. It is felt that this complex represents a transition from late Palaeo-Indian culture.

Right now, Central Early Archaic culture is defined by its distinctive projectile points, which distinguish it from Palaeo-Indian culture. Central Early Archaic points measure from 6.5 to 11.0 mm thick (up to twice the thickness of Paleo-Indian points) and were used as part of the new spear thrower technology. Many points were also converted into scrapers and butchering knives. One edge was sharpened so much that the resulting point was no longer symmetrical in shape, a key characteristic of this group.

The few Central Early Archaic sites uncovered in Canada are in elevated areas near fresh water, making them ideal for fishing and for tracking caribou herds. It is believed that these people had a mixed lifestyle of hunting, gathering, and fishing.

The difficulty with Central Early Archaic archaeological sites is that they are often churned up when fields are plowed for farming, making it impossible to get accurate radiocarbon dates. Other sites are likely underwater in the Great Lakes.

The following website link will give you some information about one Central Early Archaic archaeological site, called the Welke-Tonkonoh site. Make sure you check out the diagrams of how projectile points would change shape through sharpening. This information was provided by archaeologist Dr. Chris Ellis, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Western Ontario. Please note that Dr. Ellis uses the term "Hi-Low complex" when describing this site.

WESTERN EARLY ARCHAIC

Found in the Upper Great Lakes region of Ontario, Western Early Archaic people may be an offshoot of Plano culture* that adopted the spearthrower as a new hunting weapon. Western Early Archaic is defined by a broader, side notched projectile point that indicates the spread of the spearthrower technology from south to north. Any points that are Western Early Archaic in nature have been found in Plano sites and date around 9000 to 8500 BP. All other possible sites would now be underwater.

SOUTHERN EARLY ARCHAIC

Most of our information about Southern Early Archaic culture comes from sites in the United States. Their adoption of the spearthrower into the hunting system is evident, as well as the use of gill nets for fishing. The Southern Early Archaic also had a very distinctive style-set of projectile points--triangular in shape with corner notches.

We do know that this complex came as far north as southern Ontario, especially around Lake Erie and lived at small sites once used by Palaeo-Indian groups. The Nettling site proved to archaeologists that Southern Early Archaic people and not just their technology came to Canada. Many of the points found at Nettling were made of chert from Ohio. The site dates around 9500 - 9000 BP. Again, the changes in the levels of the Great Lakes have more than likely submerged or destroyed useful evidence from other sites.

The following website link will give you some information about the Nettling site, again provided by archaeologist Dr. Chris Ellis, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Western Ontario. There are excellent close-up pictures and diagrams of the distinctive projectile point styles.

MIDDLE ARCHAIC

To quote the archaeologist James V. Wright:

"The time period between 6000 and 4000 BC that incorporates the Middle Archaic is essentially an unknown entity in large areas of eastern North America. In stark contrast, events during this period along the New England coast and the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence are relatively well known. In the interior however, there is a virtual archaeological void." (J.V. Wright. A History of the Native People of Canada Volume I (10,000-1,000 BC). Hull: Canadian Museum of Civilization, 1995: page 80)

Quite simply, the Middle Archaic period is the least known in Canadian history--there just isn't any evidence to speak of.