The nature of prehistoric settlement and subsistence practices in coastal New England has been intensively discussed by archaeologists over the last twenty years. Archaeologists have attempted to determine when and how maize horticulture was adopted in the coastal zone and how maritime resources fit into the aboriginal diet throughout the Woodland period. Analyses of an Early to Middle Woodland period shell midden on Block Island, Rhode Island, is consistent with a number of other regional studies that suggest that the use of maritime resources was relatively early and intensive. On Block Island, intensive use of a wide variety of flora and fauna was taking place on a year-round basis as early as 3000 years ago, some 1000 years earlier than on the adjacent mainland coast.
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