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The Red Paint People, considered one of New England's earliest archeological controversies, lived over 4,000 years ago and they had a cultural impact throughout Northeastern North America. Archaeological evidence infers that they occupied sites near Lake Chaplain in New York, along the coast of Maine, and northward to Labrador. They manufactured various bone and stone tools; some of which were intricately decorated.
Click on image (Bourque 1995 fig 5.1) to enlarge They left behind many cemeteries that were often filled with grave goods that included tools (like the bone daggers above) as well as large amounts of iron oxide, red ocher. (see below) Sample of Red Ochre courtesy of Maine State Museum The Red Ochre stain mix in the burials is why they were called the Red Paint people. Some of the largest sites, with the most faunal remains, are located along the coast of Maine. The Red Paint People were initially identified, and named, as a result of the red ocher stained artifacts which were contained in various prehistoric burial sites.
Morehead Phase Ground stone half channel gouge with red ochre stain (courtesy of Maine State Museum) Recent research conducted by the Maine State Museum, as well as various campuses of the University of Maine, having focused on the occupation sites have identified these people as a maritime hunting and fishing culture. Archaeological evidence infers that they regularly hunted swordfish in the deep coastal waters which required sophisticated hunting, boating, and travel skills indicating that they were a very capable sea faring people . |
