What to expect:

Back-to-back weeks! Wasn’t planning on publishing this video so quickly, but I seriously enjoyed making it - which made the whole process fly by. I make a lot of videos about foreign places and time periods that are millions of years old, and those are awesome to research and craft. But, this one’s special because it hits close to home.

In this video, we take a close look at my home state and its original inhabitants. Known as the Lenape, the people native to New Jersey were a coastal people. They lived along the shore and its labyrinth of waterways. They used coastal resources for survival and cultural purposes.

The Lenape influenced how colonial and modern people would come to navigate the state’s landscape. They even approached the Jersey Shore in similar ways to us living here today. If that seems rather vague, you’ll have to watch to find out what I mean by that!

I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I did making it!

P.S. Something new is in the works…

The east coast of America and the west coast of Europe and Africa were once connected as part of a supercontinent known as Pangaea. Pangaea started breaking apart around 175 million years ago during the Jurassic period. As the supercontinent fragmented due to plate tectonics, the Atlantic Ocean slowly formed, creating the separation between the continents. The separation was a gradual process, and over millions of years, the Atlantic Ocean widened, eventually isolating the East Coast of North America from Europe and Africa.

New Jersey sits on the east coast of North America, and along its shores, cultures that were once separated by this massive Atlantic Ocean met eyes in the 16th and 17th centuries. The colonists encountered a population of unfamiliar faces and foreign cultural practices. The Indigenous people would have also been confused, especially by the intricate maritime technology washing up on their shores. Skirmishes ensued, but so did trade. There was both peace and conflict, not one or the other.

But New Jersey’s history doesn’t start there. Beyond the industrial landscape, around factory foundations, and beneath some of the best pizzerias in the country, are 13,000 years of human occupation. From the earliest prehistoric inhabitants of North America to their initial interactions with the Europeans, it can all be found in the soils of New Jersey.

When people think of archaeology, they typically don’t think of New Jersey. But, as an archaeologist working here, I can assure you that this state is home to some of the most intriguing archaeological sites you could encounter. What I find particularly fascinating, and what I’d like to focus on today, are the lifeways of the indigenous people living along the coast for thousands of years. 

Prehistoric communities thrived along these shores, relying on the abundant marine resources and adapting to ever-changing environments. But what can the remains they left behind tell us about their lives, their survival strategies, and the challenges they faced? In this video, we’ll dive into the rich archaeological record of New Jersey’s coast, exploring ancient tools, settlements, and the clues these sites provide about the people who called this state home long before European settlers arrived. We’ll uncover how these early communities not only lived off the land and sea but also laid the foundations for strategies future generations would use in these same coastal areas.

So let’s piece together the story of prehistoric life along the Jersey shore.

Geographic Setting

New Jersey is separated into 5 geological regions, or physiographic provinces as they’re called. Each has different geographic characteristics, which help indicate how the state’s prehistoric groups would have used the land.

The northernmost region is called the Ridge and Valley province. Mountains, steep-sided, linear ridges, and broad valleys characterize it. The area is home to High Point, the highest elevation in the state. Additionally, notable sections of the Appalachian trail, like Mt. Tammany, pass through this province. 

To its south is the Highlands province, which has very similar topographic features to the Ridge and Valley province. However, once we get to the Piedmont province, yet further south, we begin to see more change. This is sort of a transitionary region of the state, sitting between the rough topography of the northwest and the gradual slopes of the southeast. Here we see chiefly low-rolling, hilly plains with ridges occurring intermittently. 

The Piedmont opens up to the coastal plains, which can be separated into the Inner Coastal Plains to the west and Outer Coastal Plains to the east. Both are defined by mostly flat plains, low-lying wetlands, and sandy soils. The waterways of the Inner Coastal Plains drain into the Delaware River, and those of the Outer Coastal Plains into the Atlantic Ocean. When most people think of the classic Jersey Shore, this is what they think of. The waterways and shorelines of these final two regions will be the focus of this video. 

New Jersey's five physiographic provinces offer a rich and varied landscape, each shaped by unique geological processes that have influenced not only the environment but also the human activities that once took place here. As we move forward, let’s explore how the Coastal Plains supported human habitation throughout the three major cultural periods in prehistoric New Jersey: the Paleoindian, Archaic, and Woodland periods.

The 3 Prehistoric Cultural Periods

When people first arrived in New Jersey, sometime around 13,000 years ago, it was a much different place. Gradually warming after the last Ice Age, it was still very cold with glacial meltwater filling its rivers and bays. The tundra forests were dominated by spruce and pine trees, and the wildlife consisted of mammoths, giant beavers, and caribou. The state was also much larger. I’m not referring to its formal borders, because they didn’t exist at that point. Rather, the land itself was much wider due to lower sea levels. The implications for this suggest that there are many prehistoric sites now submerged under the ocean, which we’ll visit shortly. 

The earliest evidence of people we have in New Jersey dates to the Paleoindian period, including the well-known Clovis culture. They would have lived as nomadic hunter-gatherers, traversing the land looking for large game and never really settling in permanent locations. Arguably the most productive Paleo site in New Jersey is known as the Plenge site, located along the Musconetcong River in Warren County. Professional and amateur archaeologists have collected thousands of projectile points and flint-knapping debitage here over the past 60 years [1]. Like most paleo sites, this was probably a temporary campsite that was revisited numerous times.

Important to the archaeological research of the coast are the artifacts that have washed ashore. New Jersey State Museum Archaeologist Greg Lattonzi has documented multiple fluted projectile points (indicative of Paleoindian times) that have been found along the beaches of the state [2]. Dredging projects off of Monmouth County have also yielded stone artifacts [3]. These findings suggest that people have been living along the New Jersey coast for at least 12,000 years, well before it was at its modern position. 

By around 6,000 years ago, the climate was continuing to warm and the shorelines continued to encroach on the land. The megafauna were completely extinct and the forests were slowly becoming oak-dominated. We also see new cultural practices emerging alongside these trends. 

The Archaic Period of Native American prehistory lasted from around 8000 BC to 1000 BC and consisted of various technological innovations. The extinction of the megafauna by this time meant that Native Americans had to rely more on smaller game animals for subsistence. Accordingly, we see toolkit modifications. The Clovis and other fluted point technologies were replaced with notched and stemmed points. Groundstone tools like axes and mortar and pestles are also introduced during the archaic period. 

The most recent cultural period of prehistoric New Jersey was the Woodland period, lasting from 1000 BC to the 16th century AD. It is defined by small projectile points used for bows and arrows, pottery, horticulture, and larger group sizes living in more permanent settlements. This is who the Europeans came into contact with. They were, and still are, known as the Lenape. While members of the Lenape still exist today, we will be discussing them in their archaeological context, and so will be using past tenses. 

The Lenape

The Lenape, also known as the Delaware Indians, were an Indigenous people who lived in the region, which includes modern-day New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, southern New York, and parts of Delaware. They called this homeland of theirs Lenapehoking. They were part of the larger Algonquian language family. 

There were many sub-factions within the larger Lenape umbrella, but there were three main cultural-linguistic groups that lived in New Jersey. To the north were the Munsee, in central New Jersey were the Unami, and furthest south were the Unalachtigo. Each group identified with a totem symbol: The Munsee with the Wolf, the Unami with the Turtle, and the Unalachtigo with the Turkey.  The Turtle and Turkey clans were the primary inhabitants of the coastal plains, so they and their ancestors will be our focus. 

What I find so beautiful about their lifeways is how they lived in accordance with the natural world. They did not impose their beliefs upon their environment. They worked alongside it, using its resources sparingly. So let’s take a look at how the Lenape and earlier Native groups used the coastal lands of New Jersey.

Settlements, Migrations, and Trails

As mentioned earlier, the people Indigenous to New Jersey were first and foremost hunter-gatherers. They often migrated around the state, following their prey and adjusting their diets based on the seasons. European colonists would have noticed clearings in the woods and foot trails of great length. These were the migration routes used by the Lenape. Some were shorter, but many of them connected far regions. Specific trails would evolve into colonial and even modern roads, like the Route 9 highway that runs parallel to the Jersey Shore today. 

When they did settle in permanent and semi-permanent locations, they were extremely strategic. Water access was undoubtedly always taken into consideration. The coastal plains are chock full of rivers and tributaries of varying sizes. These were prime real estate. The optimal location for settlements would have been elevated terraces near those water sources, with well-drained soils. This would give the Lenape access to the flora and fauna around the waterways while keeping their shelters relatively flood-proof. 

I cannot give you precise information about where these villages were located, but many of them have now been disturbed by modern development. Along the Tom’s River on the east coast was a large village site. To the south, along the Cohansey Creek which drains into the Delaware Bay, was another large village, which was likely the “headquarters of the Unalachtigo” [4]. On the western side of the state was one of the largest native occupations, known as Abbot Farms. Here, the Lenape had an extensive settlement along the Delaware River and its concurrent tributaries. 

These more permanent villages consisted of shelters with notable architectural elements [5]. A large public building was typically erected in the village’s center and family homes, known as wigwams, were built around this central council building. In less peaceful times, stockades were constructed to surround the village.

The Lenape were master craftsmen using these solely natural materials. Unfortunately, this means that their structures are not well preserved for us to study. The only evidence of wigwams archaeologists find today are small patches of darkened soil, which are the remnants of their foundation-like postholes. 

In and around these villages, the Lenape would begin experimenting with horticulture. Stone adzes were used to till the soil, prepping it for corn, beans, pumpkins, squash, and tobacco. These crops supplemented their hunting and gathering practices.

But living so close to the coast, they were also fisherman and clammers. 

Giant Shell Mounds

Today, if you walk along the New Jersey shoreline during the summer, you’ll likely stumble across fishermen standing on jetties casting their lines into the ocean. Walking around rivers and inlets you might find buoys floating in the water, which are connected by rope to wire crabbing traps. Marinas and yacht clubs store boats that’ll be sent far out to sea. The maritime industry of the Jersey Shore is vast and this seems to have been true in prehistoric times as well. 

Some of the largest features that the prehistoric Lenape left behind were shell mounds. These were the Native Americans’ landfills, though they were filled with predominantly biodegradable materials. Shell mounds are pretty much what they sound like. They are refuse piles of the leftover resources used up by the Natives. They would gather mussels, clams, oysters, and conch shells to consume the fleshy insides and use parts of the hard shells to make wampum beads for trade and symbolic decoration. The parts of the shell not used would be tossed into a pile.

We see these shell mounds lining the Jersey Shore. Some are quite small and many can’t be found without sinking a shovel into the ground. Others are so large that they can even be seen in aerial imagery. The most popular of which is probably the Tukerton Shell Mound in the wetlands of Ocean County. The mound is 80’ x 50’ and rises about 9’ above the water level. It was likely even bigger at one point, but looters have historically removed shells from the mound for commercial purposes. By 1881, “tons of shells… many shiploads.” had already been carted away [6]. 

Today, the mound is covered in shrubs and small trees. Archaeological excavations from the 20th century found the expected clam, oyster, and conch shells, but also charcoal, pottery fragments, and faunal remains [7]. According to Ilene Grossman-Bailey:

Sites like this tell us a story of Native American migration patterns that are not so dissimilar from people living in and around New Jersey today. They would settle in permanent and semi-permanent villages along waterways, slightly further in inland. Then, like the summer tourists from the cities and suburbs surrounding the state today, they too would travel to the shore to capitalize on what its summers had to offer. Today, we have summer rentals. 1,000 years ago, they had shell mounds that marked their temporary summer campsites. 

Intermingled within these shell heaps and in the soils around them are seemingly primitive tools that actually speak to the incredibly innovative technologies of the Lenape. They adapted to their coastal environments through the use of various fishing tools and techniques, so let’s explore what they were and how they were used [9].

Tools for Fishing

Catching

Canoes were Native American’s primary form of maritime transportation, granting them access to bodies of water and shorelines that were otherwise inaccessible. After felling a tree with of sufficient diameter using stone axe, they would use the trunk to craft canoes up to 30 or 40 feet in length, following a very particular process.

They would lay the trunk on its side and lay dry branches along the top, running the length of what will become the hollowed opening. 

Using fire to burn and soften the wood first, the Lenape could build canoes more efficiently. They mastered the art of controlling fire - a defining feature of the human species.

Once they arrived at their fishing location, whether by foot trail or canoe, they implemented multiple strategies to acquire fish. One, known as a fish weir, consisted of arranging V-shaped rows of cobblestones in a river. These would funnel fish into a box-like trap made of sticks as the tides would shift. The stranded flounder, cod, striped bass, and other fish would then be collected by the Natives.

They also used fishing nets. Rarely are the nets preserved in archaeological contexts, but they were often connected to net sinkers. Net sinkers can be found in varying shapes and sizes. Most of which consist of stones that are notched on either side for cordage to be wrapped around. Others have perforated holes drilled in the center for that cordage to be sowed through. These would have been attached to the corners and sides of nets, weighing them down after being thrown over a school of fish - trapping them for human consumption. 

Oddly enough we have almost no evidence of the Lenape of New Jersey using fishing implements like fishhooks, despite their use in nearby states. The only exception to this is a double-barbed harpoon made from an antler that was excavated at the Abbot Farm site discussed earlier. Why don’t we see more evidence of this? Could this have been a technology brought in from elsewhere and simply didn’t stick with the people living in New Jersey? Let me know what you think in the comments below. 

Some have even suggested that the Lenape poisoned the streams to catch fish at a large scale. By mixing mashed green walnuts and their juicy outer hulls, the Lenape created a concoction that, when tossed into the water and passed through fish gills’, poisoned them. As they surfaced, they would have been easily collected.

Processing

After the fish were caught, the Lenape processed them for consumption. This consisted of removing the scales of the fish. They developed specialized stone tools for this called Petalas blades. Made from locally available stones like argillite or chert, these tools had broad ovate edges for scaling fish with large sweeps. It’s believed that underground caches of these are evidence of the Natives storing them near fish processing sites they would return to annually. 

Once the scaling process was complete, they would dry and cook them. They threaded cords through the fish meat and suspended them between trees. Exposing the flesh to the sun and air pulled the moisture from the flesh. Finally, they suspended the dried flesh over a fire to cook or smoke it before finally chowing it down. 

The settlements, shell mounds, and fishing tools all point to people who were not only masters of their environment but also shaped their daily lives around the rich resources that the coast provided. Their deep connection to the land and water made them some of the most skilled coastal foragers and navigators of their time. 

Ancient Economics

In addition to what the coast offered these people in terms of subsistence, it also offered them resources that would become culturally symbolic. 

1. Wampum as a Coastal Resource

Wampum, intricately crafted beads made from the shells of quahog clams and whelks, was a resource unique to the coastal environment. It consisted of “cylindrical beads of blue and white shell, a quarter of an inch in length, and about an eight of an inch thick” [4], and played an essential role in Lenape trade and culture. The labor-intensive process of producing wampum, from gathering shells to drilling and polishing beads, imbued it with immense value. Purple wampum, derived from the deeper purple parts of quahog shells, was considered particularly precious.

Because wampum was sourced directly from the coast, it highlights the strong connection these Indigenous groups had to the marine environment. The beads became more than just a byproduct of shellfish gathering; they represented the blending of natural resources, sophisticated craftsmanship, and economics. 

2. Trade Networks and Waterways

New Jersey’s intricate network of rivers, creeks, and coastal waterways served as the highways of the prehistoric world, facilitating trade and social connections. Indigenous groups in prehistoric New Jersey used their canoes to navigate these waters, allowing them to engage in trade with neighboring tribes across the broader region, including parts of what are now Pennsylvania, New York, and beyond.

Wampum became a major trade commodity, used to exchange goods such as animal hides, pottery, stone tools, and food. These coastal trade networks weren't just about goods; they allowed for the exchange of ideas, technology, and culture, helping to maintain peace and foster relationships between different groups. Over time, wampum itself became a central component in inter-tribal diplomacy and later in negotiations with European settlers.

3. Cultural and Ceremonial Importance of Wampum

Beyond its value in trade, wampum held deep cultural and ceremonial significance for the Lenape and other Native American tribes. Wampum belts, intricately woven with symbolic patterns, were used to record important treaties, agreements, and historical events. These belts became physical manifestations of collective memory, serving as mnemonic devices in a predominantly oral culture.

It was used during ceremonial gift-giving, especially in times of peace negotiations or alliance-building. 

It symbolized trust, respect, and shared history. When European settlers arrived, wampum continued to be a vital part of diplomacy, often presented in exchange for land or as part of formalized agreements. The symbolic and practical uses of wampum intertwined, reflecting the deep spiritual and social connections between the people and the coastal resources that sustained them.

Resources in Danger

The Indigenous peoples of prehistoric New Jersey displayed remarkable ingenuity and adaptability to their coastal environment. From their strategic settlements and migration patterns to the construction of giant shell mounds, these communities thrived by harnessing the rich resources provided by the land and sea. Their mastery of fishing techniques and tools not only ensured sustenance but also reflected a deep understanding of their ecological surroundings.

Furthermore, the significance of wampum cannot be overstated. As a coastal resource, it symbolized the intricate trade networks and social connections that bound these Indigenous groups together. Wampum served as a form of currency, a record of history, and a tool for diplomacy, illustrating the complex cultural dynamics at play.

The Lenape and their resources are in danger, however. Overdevelopment of the Jersey shore has disturbed many prehistoric archaeological sites under the ground. Erosion and natural disasters like hurricanes also pose threats to the integrity of these sites. Whether you live in New Jersey or not, I encourage you all to appreciate the deep historical connections between the land we live on and its original people. To show support you can participate in public archaeology programs, donate to local historical societies and museums, and respect archaeological sites by discouraging looters. These actions, in addition to many others, can be taken to preserve the beauty hidden under the topsoil of New Jersey and beyond. 

References:

[1] https://www.nj.com/warrenreporter/2014/12/belvidere_resident_donates_mor.html

[2] Lattonzi, G. 2017. “Current Research on Paleoindian Occupations in New Jersey.” Journal of Middle Atlantic Archaeology 33:49-61

[3] Merwin, E. 2010. “Submerged Evidence of Early Human Occupation in the New York Bight.” Doctoral Dissertation.

[4] Skinner, A. and Schrabisch, M. 1913. “NJGS Bulletin: A Preliminary Report of Archaeological Survey of the State of New Jersey.” Department of Anthropology in the American Museum of Natural History.

[5] Woodruff, A. and Palmer, F. 1973. “The Unalachtigo of New Jersey: The Original People of Cumberland County.” Cumberland County Historical Society.

[6] Abbott, C. 1881. Primitive Industry or Illustrations of the Handiwork, in Stone, Bone, and Clay, of the Native Races of the Northern Atlantic Seaboard of America. Bates Press.

[7] Cross, D. 1941. Archaeology of New Jersey, Vol. 1. The Archaeological Society of New Jersey and The New Jersey State Museum.

[8] Grossman-Bailey, I. 2001. “‘The People Who Lived By The Ocean’: Native American Resource Use And Settlement In The Outer Coastal Plain Of New Jersey.” Doctoral Dissertation.

[9] Kraft, J. 2001. The Lenape-Delaware Indian Heritage: 10,000 BC to AD 2000. Lenape Books.

[10] Salter, E. 1890. A History of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. E. Gardner & Sons, Publishers.

[11] Cross.1955. The Indians of New Jersey. The Archaeological Society of New Jersey.

Song Suggestion

Music is a human universal. It’s found in every culture, at every corner of the globe. The Evolve.2 song suggestions are hand-picked by yours truly. I love all types of music, but here, I like to share some of my more extreme tastes.

(Caution: These songs consist of heavy, brutal guitar riffs and gruesomely guttural vocals. I timestamp what I believe to be the best riff of the song. You’ve been warned.)