“Landlocked” Salmon and Early Holocene Lacustrine Adaptation in Southwestern Maine

Abstract

While early Holocene sites are rare in northeastern North America, and by implication early Holocene populations were relatively low, Middle Archaic sites (7000–9000 BP) are particularly abundant in the “Lakes” region of southwestern Maine and southeastern New Hampshire. Since sea level in this region (western Gulf of Maine) was as much as 50 m below present at that time, site abundance in the “Lakes” region may be explained by an unusual set of conditions which allowed populations of anadromous fish to develop earlier than elsewhere. Data from the Sebago Lake region of southwestern Maine suggest the development of a subsistence regime in Middle Archaic times based on intensive exploitation of anadromous fish, turtles, and aquatic mammals. In addition, it is likely that “landlocked” salmon populations became established at this time, resulting in a diverse, abundant, and stable resource base that supported sedentary encampments, particularly near outlets to important spawning grounds.