A Brief Prehistory

The following essay is a very brief outline of the various tribes and races of people who migrated to what is now Newfoundland and Labrador as long ago as 7500 B.C. Most appear to have come up the eastern coast of the continent (North America), crossing the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In more recent times, European, French, Basque and Portuguese appeared on the scene. One common factor drew them all — the rich abundance of marine resources. They all played a role in the development of today's population, our environment and our unique culture.

The First Inhabitants

As near as can be ascertained, the earliest habitation of Newfoundland and Labrador was nearly 10,000 years ago, around 7500 B.C. The Maritime Archaic people occupied coastal areas ranging from The Beaches in Newfoundland to Saglek Bay in northern Labrador. Artifacts and other evidence indicate that they remained here until about 1500 B.C. No other race remained here that long until the arrival of the Micmac and the Europeans. Remains of Maritime Archaic camp sites and burial grounds have been located at various places, with the most information being at Port au Choix and L'Anse Amour.

Early Palaeo-Eskimo presence appears for a brief period of several hundred years around 1000 B.C. The Dorset Eskimo can be traced from about 750 B.C. to 750 A.D., a 1500-year time span. Saglek Bay provides the best early Palaeo-Eskimo information, while facts about the Dorset are best displayed at a large village site near Port au Choix. The early Palaeo-Eskimo seem to have settled only on the most northerly coast of Labrador while the Dorset extended all along the coast of Newfoundland.

The most famous of all the early native cultures in the province were the Beothuk Indians. Discovered sites, so far, are on the Island with one site at Iceberg on the southern coast of Labrador. When the beothuk first arrived here is still uncertain. The common belief is that they were here from around 50 A.D. to 1829 but recent discoveries indicate they may have been here much earlier.

The Beothuk are thought to be the first native people to be seen by European explorers to the area. The invasion of European adventurers and settlers along the coast eventually brought about the demise of the Beothuk who had no firearms; no immunity to European-related diseases; and were unable to survive on inland resources without access to the rich marine resources of coastal areas.

Most colourful and fascinating of the province's early people were the Vikings, who arrived here in 1000 A.D. L'Anse aux Meadows is believed to be the site of the first European colony established in North America - Leifsburdir (Leif's Settlement), established by Leif Erricsson. Just how long the Vikings remained here is still questionable. However, they appear to have spent at least one winter at Lanse aux Meadows and certainly left their imprint on the history of this province.

Other races - such as the Naskapi-Montaganais, the Thule or Labrador Eskimo (now known as Inuit) and Micmac -- are still around.