DLK 27.08.01

Choice of ;
David L. Keenlyside, Curator, Atlantic Provinces Archaeology.

Object of the month;
Shark Tooth; This tooth was recently excavated by archaeologists from a 1000 year old shell midden site situated on the north shore of St. Peters Bay, Prince Edward Island. The tooth is from a ~2.5 meter long porbeagle (Lamna nasus) which is related to the great white shark and was probably caught in an aboriginal fish weir or net in the bay. Close inspection of the tooth reveals striations indicating its use as a perforating tool, possibly for working with animal hides for making clothing or plant rushes in mat or basket construction.

Fishes of the Atlantic Coast of Canada A.H. Leim & W.B. Scott 1966