Marpole Phase
The Marpole Phase represents a significant period in the prehistoric cultures of the Northwest Coast, particularly noted for its well-documented archaeological sites. Centered in the Vancouver area, the most prominent site is the Marpole midden, a vast shell heap that has been excavated multiple times throughout the 20th century. This culture evolved from the earlier Locarno Beach phase and is characterized by advanced woodworking tools and fishing techniques, including the use of harpoons and spears. The Marpole people are also recognized for their unique artistic expressions, such as stone bowls with human depictions, likely associated with shamanistic practices.
During this phase, large plankhouses began to emerge, indicating a complex societal structure, possibly hierarchical, as suggested by the presence of lip plugs and artificial cranial deformation in burial sites. Additionally, evidence points to the practice of slavery within their society. The Marpole Phase continued until approximately 1500 CE, leaving a rich legacy that contributes to our understanding of the cultural and social dynamics of indigenous peoples in the region.
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Marpole Phase
Related civilizations: Locarno Beach phase, Saint Mungo phase, Northwest Coast cultures.
Date: 500 b.c.e.-700 c.e.
Locale: Fraser Delta and Strait of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada, and Puget Sound, Washington state
Marpole Phase
Marpole is the best-known phase of Northwest Coast prehistoric cultures because of the many excavated sites. The main site is a deep, multiacre shell midden at Marpole in Vancouver that is now covered with buildings. It was excavated in the early 1900’s, the 1930’s, and the 1950’s. Other Marpole phase sites in the Gulf Islands were excavated from the 1960’s through the 1990’s. Marpole culture evolved from the earlier Locarno Beach phase. The Marpole people used woodworking tools—wedges, chisels, adzes, and stone spool-shaped hand mauls. They also fished and hunted using the commonly found harpoon heads and points used on spears. Stone bowls depicting a seated human figure with ribs were probably used by the shaman in curing illness. The bow and arrow was used beginning about 500 c.e. Both lip plugs (labrets) and artificial head deformation are found in Marpole phase sites, indicating a complex ranked society. Slavery was probably practiced. The Marpole people existed until about 1500.
Bibliography
Burley, David. Marpole: Anthropological Reconstructions of a Prehistoric Northwest Coast Culture Type. Burnaby, B.C.: Department of Archaeology, Simon Fraser University, 1980.
Mitchell, Donald. “Prehistory of the Coasts of Southern British Columbia and Northern Washington.” In Northwest Coast, edited by Wayne Suttles. Vol. 7 in Handbook of North American Indians. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1990.