Late Holocene Hunter-Gatherers at L'Anse aux Meadows and the Dynamics of Bird and Mammal Hunting in Newfoundland

Archaeological evidence from L’Anse aux Meadows suggests that Late Holocene hunter-gatherers prioritized bird hunting over mammal hunting, contrary to the dominance of tools typically associated with caribou or seal exploitation. Analysis of over 40 years of excavation data reveals a lithic assemblage dominated by large bifaces and scrapers, yet the majority of faunal remains are bird bones. This pattern aligns with historical records of Beothuk subsistence, indicating that while mammal hunting tools were prepared, birds were the primary target during warm weather. The study proposes a seasonal dynamic where bird harvesting occurred in warmer months, while mammal exploitation was planned for colder periods, offering new insights into the subsistence strategies of northern hunter-gatherers.

Kristensen, T. J., & Curtis, J. E. (2012). Late Holocene Hunter-Gatherers at L’Anse aux Meadows and the Dynamics of Bird and Mammal Hunting in Newfoundland. Arctic Anthropology, 49(1), 68–87. https://doi.org/10.1353/arc.2012.0015