Where’d the coast go? : geoarchaeological exploration of upper Bay of Fundy coastal histories in Nova Scotia

Abstract

This thesis uses examines coastal histories in the upper Bay of Fundy through a lens of landscape geoarchaeology aided by modern technologies and informed by coastal geomorphology. Three approaches examine multiple scales of analysis providing a set of tools that guide the development of novel approaches to landscape geoarchaeology, supplementing studies of relationships among archaeological sites and geomorphological systems. First, a python-based automated method for measuring surface area of artifacts is presented and applications briefly discussed. Second, a date range is suggested for an archaeological site at Oak Point using microfossils, remote sensing, and geographic information systems to develop an interactive age-depth model for the site. The final chapter models coastal paleotopography using marine limit data from 15.5 to 13.5 thousand years ago. These cases highlight how enriching interactions with technology can provide ductile frameworks to inform human-scale observations and landscape geoarchaeology interpretations in the upper Bay of Fundy.