Rethinking Middle Woodland Settlement and Subsistence Patterns in the Middle and Lower Delaware Valley

Abstract

Assumptions concerning Middle Woodland (A.D. 1-1000) settlement and subsistence patterns in the Delaware Valley are based largely upon the presumed exploitation of the upstream migration of adult anadromous fish. This relatively narrow perception of the migratory fish resource is incomplete and should be expanded to include not only other phases of anadromous fish life cycles but other migratory fish as well. Archaeological, biological, and experimental data are combined to offer a holistic representation of the migratory fish resource in the Delaware Valley during the Middle Woodland period and its impact on our understanding of Middle Woodland life.1

The procurement of quartz as a tool stone

“…The presence of these resources undoubtedly encouraged the establishment of nearby campsites. The most predictable and abundant faunal resource may have been the anadromous fishes (Becker, 2006; Schindler, 2008). According to Becker (2006) and Schindler (2008), a wide variety of anadromous fish may have been available to the pre-Contact populations.…”

“…The most predictable and abundant faunal resource may have been the anadromous fishes (Becker, 2006; Schindler, 2008). According to Becker (2006) and Schindler (2008), a wide variety of anadromous fish may have been available to the pre-Contact populations. The locations and timing of these runs would have influenced the selection of sites by aboriginal groups and resulted in seasonal reoccupation of these areas.…”