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Ancient Maritime Archaic Indian Point

A researcher holds a maritime archaic point made of ramah chert that was found at Hare Harbor in Quebec, Canada in 2011
(Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center)

Smithsonian surveys along the lower north shore of Hare Harbor in Quebec, Canada have revealed evidence of a long history of Native American occupation, beginning with the Maritime Archaic Indian culture beginning 8000 years ago. Their later descendants of 3,500 years ago built longhouses with multiple family rooms have been found at Mécatina Cove.

At Kegaska a cache of stone blades found by Hughie Stubbert indicates that early Innu peoples living here ca. 1000 AD were in contact with peoples of Ramah Bay in northern Labrador.

In this photo the Arctic Studies Center's Lauren Marr poses with an ancient Maritime Archaic Indian point made of Ramah Chert, found in 2011.

Learn more about what has been uncovered at Hare Harbor and how it has helped scientists understand the relationship between Inuit peoples of Northern Canada and Basque whalers of France and Spain in the 16th century.