The history of the Maritime Archaic people traces back 9000 years. They lived in Newfoundland and Labrador for 5000 years. These early Indians spread along the whole Labrador coast and much of the coast of Newfoundland.
In 1973, workers were building a road near L’Anse–Amour in southern Labrador. They found a wide mound of rock. Archaeologists from Memorial University arrived the next year. They removed the cover of rock and began to dig. At one metre, two rows of rock were found standing on edge. At two metres, they found the skeleton of a child of about twelve–years. The body had been placed face down in the sand. A large flat rock lay on the child’s back.
A flute with two holes was found in the grave. It had been made from the hollow bone of a bird. Stone knives and spear points were found near the head of the child. Parts of a toggling harpoon were found beneath the skeleton. This harpoon shows how advanced these people were as hunters. It allowed them to hold onto seals and other prey after first wounding them.
The L’ Anse–Amour site held the remains of two fires. Charcoal from one of the fires dated back 7500 years.