Little is known about biocultural adaptations during the terminal Late Archaic period (ca. 1,000–500 B.C.) in the northeastern United States. To shed light on population structure and social organization, I examined mortuary treatment and paleopathology of six skeletons recovered at the Isle La Motte site in Vermont “Typical” Glacial Kame artifacts accompanied the cremated and uncremated remains. Mortuary practices indicate status differences based on gender and perhaps on age as well. Grave furniture seems to include items of both personal adornment and socio-ceremonial import. Radiographic analysis of two skeletons showed signs of a virulent, infectious disease, which was diagnosed as disseminated bone tuberculosis. Epidemiological modeling suggests a population size well into the hundreds. Despite occasional suboptimal nutrient intake, diet generally appears to have been adequate. Taken together, the findings indicate a moderately-sized population—socially, perhaps hierarchically, ordered—of gatherers, fishers, and hunters who successfully exploited local biota.
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