Port au Choix historic site tells the story of previous inhabitants of this area of Newfoundland. Heading back 5500 years BP the Maritime Archaic people made their way here from Labrador, crossing over 25 miles of water to settle. They occupied this spot for over 2000 years. Their primary resource was the Harp seal from which they made clothing, ate the meat and used most all parts for some purpose. Harp seals migrated through the area twice a year. Of the bones found in their middens, 92% were Harp seal.
Some of their tools are on display in the visitor center including their harpoons. We saw a replica of a sophisticated design made only from chert, seal skin and wood. The chert came from about 50 miles away in today's Cow Head. They made soapstone bowls from materials found 150-200 miles away.
Above is the beach in Cow Head. Weathered rock here were deposited by glaciers. Mixed among these rocks were black stones of chert which looked out of place but were prized by the native people for tool and point making.
Scurvy grass was used for many ailments by the native people. Its high vitamin C content was important for sailors to stave off scurvy.
After the Maritime Archaic people vacated the area about 3200 years BP, the Groswater people began a seasonal occupation of this same spit of land. They were displaced after 900 years by the Dorset people who occupied the same spot permanently until about 1300 years BP. They may have been displayed by the Beothuk people who were here when Europeans came around the year 1540.
I think this is Orange sunburst lichen. The rocks along the water were covered like this one.
Everything grows close to ground here. The wind make sure of that. There are numerous spruce trees trying to make living here. In exposed areas, most of the Spruce is just a couple inches tall. It has been windy since we arrived and I'm told that it will be windier on the east side of the island.
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