6000 to 2500 BCE: Middle Archaic Period

The climatic warming trend continues and a mixed forest becomes established. Though still pursuing a semi-nomadic lifestyle, Middle Archaic groups moved less frequently than their Early Archaic predecessors, and large seasonal habitation sites repeatedly occupied over time appear. Two of the best known are on Allumette and Morrison Islands, in the Ottawa River near Pembroke, Ontario.

The rich material culture in stone, bone and antler recovered from these campsites is considered to reflect intensive fall harvesting and equipment manufacturing activities, in preparation for the coming winter.

While some exotic raw materials and tools show ties with Laurentian Archaic peoples in the southern Great Lakes-Upper St. Lawrence area, large numbers of native copper artifacts demonstrate trade with other Archaic groups in the copper-rich Lake Superior basin.

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