The Erased Highlands: Why New Brunswick’s Ancient Past is Under Threat

When we think of New Brunswick’s history, we often start with the arrival of the tall ships. But the real story begins nearly 13,000 years ago, just as the glaciers were retreating.

​Recent evidence and logic, suggests that the "High Lands"—areas like Canterbury, Porten Settlement, and the ridges around Skiff Lake—were ice-free and inhabited long before the river valleys were stable. These were the highways of the first Maritimers: a landscape of tundra, mastodons, and strategic portage routes.

​Yet, despite their importance, these upland sites are currently facing a silent crisis of erasure. And this is only a small portion of the land that would have been potentially used and occupied by humans tens of thousands of years ago.

​The Upland Void: Why Are We Looking Away?

​While river valleys get all the archaeological attention, the highlands are being left in a "research void." This isn't just an accident of geography; it’s a systemic failure.

​Lack of Funding & Focus: Archaeological initiatives in NB are often "reactive," meaning they only happen when a new highway is built. Since the highlands aren't on the path of major development, they remain invisible to the province.

​Corporate Interests: Large-scale industrial forestry, dominated by giants like J.D. Irving, views these "protected" lands primarily as economic assets. When the focus is on timber, the ancient stone structures and tool-making workshops beneath the canopy are often viewed as hurdles rather than heritage.

​The "Green Screen": Thick forest cover makes these sites hard to find, but with modern LiDAR technology, we can see through the trees. The question is: why isn't the province using it to protect these sites before the machinery arrives?

​"By leaving these voids in our history, we give ammunition to those who seek to dehumanize and discredit Indigenous occupancy in North America. The physical proof is there—we just have to choose to protect it."

​The Front Line: Porten Settlement & Skiff Lake

​The ridge at Porten Settlement is a prime example. Positioned as a natural "choke point" between major watersheds, it was a strategic camp for Paleo-Indian hunters 12,700 years ago. Today, it sits unprotected.

​As citizens, many have unknowingly built over or dug up stone structures that could hold vital clues to how ancient civilizations lived in this region. Without a "backbone" in our heritage laws, these artifacts often end up in private collections or, worse, in the back of a dump truck.

​How You Can Help Protect the Highlands

​We cannot wait for the government to place archaeology back on the front burner. It starts with community awareness and "boots on the ground."

​Report, Don't Disturb: If you find a stone tool or an unusual structure while exploring the Canterbury area, take a GPS coordinate and a photo. Do not dig.

​Support Indigenous-Led Research: Follow and support the Wolastoqey Nation’s efforts to map their own traditional lands using LiDAR and oral history.

​The Amateur Permit: Did you know you can apply for an Amateur Research Permit? It allows you to help document sites legally and ensures your finds become part of the official provincial record.

​A Legacy Worth Saving

​The 13,000-year-old secrets of the New Brunswick uplands belong to all of us, but they are held in trust for the future. We must demand that our history is not treated as a "back-burner" issue to be sacrificed for short-term economic gain.

​Are you ready to help uncover the truth?