|
|
             
|
The ecology of this area supports the needs of many animals such as bear, moose, deer, raccoon, beaver, fox, bobcat, rabbits porcupine, weasel, mink, and other small mammals. The marine animals include but are not limited to seal (harbor and gray), porpoise, some small whales, swordfish, trout, smelt, a variety of shellfish including oysters. Canada Geese, duck, loon, and the Great Auk (now extinct) could also be found in this region.
Coastal Maine. Photo of the Nevin Site, taken by Dr. Nathan Hamilton. Early Maine inhabitants fished for swordfish in the deep waters of the coast most likely out of dugout canoes. The vessels must have been strong, to have transported the Red Paint People between Nova Scotia and the New England coast as is evident from the trading of arrowheads and stones such as those discovered in Labrador, and Lake Champlain. In addition to fish, these traders ate berries, acorns, nuts, roots and meat. Many people believed now that the tribes most likely remained on the coast throughout the year, including the winter season, rather than practicing a seasonal migration inland as previously thought. Winters are milder on the coast of Maine than they are inland, and while forest animals hibernate during the winter months, sea animals are still active so there is always a food supply on the coast. This has supported the theory of year round occupation on the coast.
|
