Geoarchaeology at Gilman Falls: An archaic quarry and manufacturing site in central Maine, USA

Interdisciplinary investigations at the Milford Reservoir, central Maine, r esulted in excavation and analysis of a Middle Archaic quarry and manufactu ring site at Gilman Falls, dated to between 7300 and 6300 yr B.P. Lithologi cal analysis indicates that the majority of the artifacts came from very lo cal outcrops, providing low-grade metamorphic rocks. Native Americans used a specialized technique to reduce the granofels and other rocks to long rod s, artifacts commonly placed in local cemeteries. The Gilman Falls site was largely abandoned once these artifacts were no longer in vogue. Therefore, access to particular bedrock outcrops seems to have played an important ro le in site selection. Gilman Falls and other early to middle Holocene sites are preserved where bedrock sill dams ponded water that deposited fine san d. Early site sedimentation history is paralleled by a drainage change in t he headwaters of the Penobscot River. Evidence for lower mid-Holocene lake levels and a period of higher temperatures and lower precipitation may corr elate with the sedimentation history. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.