Several chronological markers have been discovered on archaeological sites in the Eastern Townships. Each one is associated with a culture, which is itself associated with a period.
Examples of chronological markers found on one of the study sites in the Eastern Townships by period and culture.
| 0 | HISTORICAL PERIOD |  |
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| PREHISTORY | BP: before present | ||||
| 400 BP | Period | Culture | |||
| 3 000 BP | WOODLAND |
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| 8 800 BP | ARCHAIC |
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| 12 500 BP | PALAEOINDIAN |
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| End of the Ice Age |
The historical period began with the first written documentation of 1534. The historical period is presented from the point of view of the Europeans and their descendants. Since 1534, the number of Indigenous peoples has continued to decline, today only representing about 1% of Quebec’s population.
Tinkling cone – chronological marker of the historical period under the French Regime (1608-1760)
The presence of a metal object indicates inhabitation during the historical period. The Europeans introduced metal to America in the form of guns, tools, and copper kettles. The Indigenous Peoples used these new materials to make ornaments, such as this tinkling cone, which they attached to the edges of clothing. It rattles when hitting another tinkling cone. This artifact was discovered on the Gaudreau site in Weedon.
Corresponding to the period before the arrival of the Europeans (1534) and written documents.
A period of major change, in particular with the appearance of ceramic vases and the development of agriculture. The Indigenous peoples of the Eastern Townships remained hunter-fisher-gatherer nomads.
Levanna point – chronological marker of the Late Middle Woodland and Late Woodland periods
The discovery of a triangular point with a concave base such as this one indicates inhabitation dating from the Late Woodland period. This is a Levanna point, its name referring to the archaeological site in New York State where the first point of this genre was discovered in 1961. This one was discovered on the Gaudreau site in Weedon.
Trumpet pipe bowl – chronological marker of the Late Woodland period
The discovery of pipes indicates inhabitation during the Woodland period. The increased presence of elbowed pipes with bowls in various shapes is characteristic of the Late Woodland period. This one, a trumpet type, may have been inspired by the Iroquois. This one was discovered on the Gaudreau site in Weedon.
Pottery shard – chronological marker of the Middle Woodland period
The discovery of the pottery shard indicates that it cannot be older than the Woodland period, as pottery was not present beforehand. The fragment’s flared edge and visible cuts are evidence of the Middle Woodland period. It was discovered on the Gaudreau site in Weedon.
Jack’s Reef point – chronological marker of the Middle Woodland period
(more specifically the Late Middle Woodland period)
The presence of points of average size, with deep enough notches, are evidence of inhabitation during the Middle Woodland period. This a Jack’s Reef point. Its name refers to the archaeological site in New York State where the first point of this genre was discovered in 1961. This one was discovered on the Gaudreau site in Weedon.
Gorget – chronological marker of the Early Woodland period
The discovery of an object such as this one, a polished slate offering, is symbolic of a cultural tradition dating back to the Early Woodland period. It is a gorget, a decoration placed around the neck of the deceased. The gorget is associated with the Meadowood traditional culture. It is found in cremation pits, sometimes with other offerings. This one was discovered on the Gaudreau site in Weedon.
Box-base point – chronological marker of the Early Woodland period
The discovery of triangular points with a notched and squared base is characteristic of Early Woodland period toolboxes. These tools were mostly made of a specific material, Onondaga chert. This material was used primarily for points, cache blades, triangular end scrapers as well as more elaborate pottery. The shape of this point was inspired by the box-base points of the Meadowood culture. This one was discovered on the Gaudreau site in Weedon.
Period of climate warming. The forest expanded slowly and the fauna became more diverse. Indigenous peoples settled in the Eastern Townships. They survived by hunting, fishing, and gathering.
Snook Kill point – chronological marker of the Archaic period
The presence of a large triangular point with a flattened and elliptical cross-section and a peduncle indicate a cultural tradition dating from the end of the Archaic period. This is a Snook Kill point, named for the site in New York State where the first point of this genre was discovered. This point was discovered on the Gaudreau site in Weedon.
Polished point – chronological marker of the Laurentian Archaic period
The presence of a point made by polishing soft materials is evidence of inhabitation during the Laurentian Archaic period. They were generally lance-shaped with a peduncle. Their large size suggests that they were hafted to a wood shaft and used as a lance. Most polished points found in the Eastern Townships were produced with red slate and have notches on the peduncle. This point, discovered in three fragments on the Gaudreau site, may have been abandoned due to breakage during production.
Stark point – chronological marker of the Middle Archaic period
Points with peduncles were found in several cultures. These have a triangular shape with a converging peduncle and a pointed base indicating inhabitation during the Middle Archaic period. Although the end of this peduncle is missing, the object is related to the Stark type and therefore typical of the Middle Archaic period. This point was discovered on the Gaudreau site in Weedon.
A period consistent with the retreat of the glaciers and the arrival of the first human populations in the territory, i.e. hunters of big game adapted to tundra environments.
Ste. Anne-Varney point – chronological marker of the Late Palaeoindian period
The presence of long, thin, narrow-bladed points, with parallel retouching on the contour, indicates that they were made in the Late Palaeoindian period. They are associated with the Plano culture, a people who came from the plains. There are several types of Plano points. This one is a Ste. Anne-Varney point. It is thinner, narrower, and more delicate than other Plano points. It was discovered on the Kruger 2 site in Sherbrooke.
Fluted point – chronological marker of the Early Palaeoindian period
The discovery of fluted points, i.e. a point with a central cut starting from the base up to the middle of the point, indicates that it was made in the Early Palaeoindian period. The groove may have facilitated hafting. These are called Clovis points, in reference to the city of Clovis, New Mexico, where the first point of this genre was discovered. This Clovis point fragment came from the Cliche-Rancourt site in the Megantic region.
