Abstract

The Beothucks of the Island of Newfoundland became extinct in 1829. Their origins and relationships are still unknown. It is suggested that the Direct Historic Approach will be a useful tool in attempting to distinguish Beothuck remains and establishing an archaeological identity for them. Four sites and three collections may be relevant, despite several frustrating factors. The latest Beothuck sites contain no stone tools - only their iron substitutes. Another probable Beothuck site contains not only iron, but also stone tools some of which are characteristically Dorset. This site may be mixed. A third site seems to be a pure Beothuck component containing both iron and stone tools. A prehistoric site contains stone tools which may be Beothuck, but this site also contains typically Dorset tools and so may be mixed. Three collections contain stone tools which by comparison may be attributable to Beothuck. It is therefore possible to establish an archaeological identity for late historic Beothuck sites having iron tools, and also to suggest several stone tool types and lithic attributes which characterize prehistoric Beothuck assemblages.