{"id":48,"date":"2019-05-13T15:28:56","date_gmt":"2019-05-13T19:28:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/?page_id=48"},"modified":"2025-07-11T15:31:23","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T19:31:23","slug":"why-are-middens-important","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/why-are-middens-important\/","title":{"rendered":"Why are Middens Important?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Middens are an archive of ancient coastal lifeways and environments.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image48_8ad6aa-43 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image48_8ad6aa-43\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/OLSON-10_10_17-red-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"Shell path at the Olson site\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-159\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/OLSON-10_10_17-red-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/OLSON-10_10_17-red-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/OLSON-10_10_17-red-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/OLSON-10_10_17-red-105x70.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/OLSON-10_10_17-red-317x211.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/OLSON-10_10_17-red-423x281.jpg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/OLSON-10_10_17-red-634x421.jpg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/OLSON-10_10_17-red-846x562.jpg 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/OLSON-10_10_17-red-951x632.jpg 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/OLSON-10_10_17-red-1268x842.jpg 1268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id48_5d9a3f-d2 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id48_5d9a3f-d2 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id48_5d9a3f-d2 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 2fr) minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id48_5d9a3f-d2 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id48_5d9a3f-d2 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 2fr) minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id48_5d9a3f-d2 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id48_5d9a3f-d2 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-left-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column48_7b4ce0-95 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column48_7b4ce0-95 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column48_7b4ce0-95 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column48_7b4ce0-95 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column48_7b4ce0-95 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column48_7b4ce0-95 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column48_7b4ce0-95{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column48_7b4ce0-95 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column48_7b4ce0-95 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column48_7b4ce0-95\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p>Archaeologically, middens&nbsp;preserve a record of thousands of years of coastal occupation.&nbsp;While much of the early coastal region of Maine is now submerged, it is likely that people occupied the newly&nbsp;revealed&nbsp;landscape shortly after the&nbsp;recession of the ice and the retreat of the post-glacial coastal inundation. This idea is supported by finds of stone tools dating to approximately 9-8 thousand years ago recovered by fishers working in Maine coastal waters. The middens currently seen on the Maine coast range in age from 5,000 years old to the time of European arrivals. Most represent the last 3,000 years of Maine history. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dacf\/mgs\/explore\/marine\/facts\/sealevel.pdf\">Click here for more information on Maine\u2019s complex sea level history<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column48_50fc93-15 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column48_50fc93-15 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column48_50fc93-15 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column48_50fc93-15 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column48_50fc93-15 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column48_50fc93-15 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column48_50fc93-15{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column48_50fc93-15 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column48_50fc93-15 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column48_50fc93-15\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Pembroke-Flake-reduced-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"A Pembroke flake against a field notebook for scale\" class=\"wp-image-167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Pembroke-Flake-reduced-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Pembroke-Flake-reduced-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Pembroke-Flake-reduced-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Pembroke-Flake-reduced-105x70.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Pembroke-Flake-reduced-317x211.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Pembroke-Flake-reduced-423x281.jpg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Pembroke-Flake-reduced-634x421.jpg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Pembroke-Flake-reduced-846x562.jpg 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Pembroke-Flake-reduced-951x632.jpg 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Pembroke-Flake-reduced-1268x842.jpg 1268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id48_14db2f-5c > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id48_14db2f-5c > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id48_14db2f-5c > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id48_14db2f-5c > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id48_14db2f-5c > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id48_14db2f-5c > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id48_14db2f-5c alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column48_014428-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column48_014428-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column48_014428-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column48_014428-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column48_014428-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column48_014428-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column48_014428-5b{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column48_014428-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column48_014428-5b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column48_014428-5b\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0370-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"A small bone\" class=\"wp-image-92\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0370-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0370-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0370-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0370-105x70.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0370-317x211.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0370-423x281.jpg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0370-634x422.jpg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0370-846x563.jpg 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0370-951x632.jpg 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0370-1268x843.jpg 1268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column48_3a0660-d4 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column48_3a0660-d4 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column48_3a0660-d4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column48_3a0660-d4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column48_3a0660-d4 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column48_3a0660-d4 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column48_3a0660-d4{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column48_3a0660-d4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column48_3a0660-d4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column48_3a0660-d4\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p>Because the decomposition of the shells buffers Maine\u2019s typically acidic soils, shell middens provide a more complete record of the&nbsp;lifeways of ancient coastal inhabitants than interior archaeological sites. Away from the coast, only burned (calcined) bone, lithics, and ceramics are preserved in the soil. In shell middens, bone artifacts and food remains are preserved, as well as ceramics. These materials, when combined with the shell and botanical remains, provide information about diet, technology, and seasons of site occupation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shell middens also provide a glimpse of the environment along the western Gulf of Maine during the time the middens were constructed. While biased toward animals and plants indigenous people found useful, they are however, one of the limited sources of information of the region\u2019s paleoenvironments. The remains of extinct species, such as the Sea Mink and the Great Auk, are found in shell middens. Studies of the remains of other species recovered from middens provide information about population distributions, individual sizes, and species presence or absence.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-48_c8c58a-23 .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-48_c8c58a-23 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-48_c8c58a-23\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id48_199975-80 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id48_199975-80 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id48_199975-80 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(35% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 2 )\/3)))minmax(0, calc(30% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 2 )\/3)))minmax(0, calc(35% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 2 )\/3)));}.kb-row-layout-id48_199975-80 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id48_199975-80 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-right:50px;padding-left:50px;grid-template-columns:repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id48_199975-80 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id48_199975-80 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-right:25px;padding-left:25px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id48_199975-80 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id48_199975-80 alignnone um-UMBlueIconSet wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-3-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column48_8b191e-ad > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column48_8b191e-ad > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column48_8b191e-ad > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column48_8b191e-ad > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column48_8b191e-ad > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column48_8b191e-ad > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column48_8b191e-ad{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column48_8b191e-ad > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column48_8b191e-ad > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column48_8b191e-ad inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"979\" height=\"651\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta.jpg\" alt=\"Shells stacked upon one another at a midden in Damriscotta\" class=\"wp-image-193\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:100px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta.jpg 979w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta-105x70.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta-317x211.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta-423x281.jpg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta-634x422.jpg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta-846x563.jpg 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta-951x632.jpg 951w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,979px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_47981f-c3, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_47981f-c3[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_47981f-c3\"]{text-align:center;font-size:18px;font-weight:900;font-style:normal;font-family:stratum-1-web;text-transform:uppercase;color:#003263;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_47981f-c3 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_47981f-c3[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_47981f-c3\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_47981f-c3 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_47981f-c3[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_47981f-c3\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_47981f-c3[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_47981f-c3\"] a, a.kb-advanced-heading-link.kt-adv-heading-link48_47981f-c3{text-decoration:none;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_47981f-c3, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_47981f-c3[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_47981f-c3\"]{text-align:center!important;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_47981f-c3, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_47981f-c3[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_47981f-c3\"]{margin-top:0px;text-align:center!important;}}<\/style>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/what-is-a-midden\/\" class=\"kb-advanced-heading-link kt-adv-heading-link48_47981f-c3 hls-none\"><h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading48_47981f-c3 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_47981f-c3\">What is a Midden? <\/h3><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column48_27d986-f3 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column48_27d986-f3 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column48_27d986-f3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column48_27d986-f3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column48_27d986-f3 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column48_27d986-f3 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column48_27d986-f3{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column48_27d986-f3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column48_27d986-f3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column48_27d986-f3 inner-column-2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"315\" height=\"290\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-14-at-8.53.55-AM.png\" alt=\"An assortment of bones and teeth.\" class=\"wp-image-310\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:100px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-14-at-8.53.55-AM.png 315w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-14-at-8.53.55-AM-300x276.png 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-14-at-8.53.55-AM-105x97.png 105w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,315px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef\"]{text-align:center;font-size:18px;font-weight:900;font-style:normal;font-family:stratum-1-web;text-transform:uppercase;color:#003263;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef\"] a, a.kb-advanced-heading-link.kt-adv-heading-link48_dd8811-ef{text-decoration:none;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef\"]{text-align:center!important;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef\"]{margin-top:0px;text-align:center!important;}}<\/style>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/why-are-middens-important\/\" class=\"kb-advanced-heading-link kt-adv-heading-link48_dd8811-ef hls-none\"><h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_dd8811-ef\">Why are Middens Important?<\/h3><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column48_0eb529-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column48_0eb529-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column48_0eb529-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column48_0eb529-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column48_0eb529-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column48_0eb529-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column48_0eb529-2a{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column48_0eb529-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column48_0eb529-2a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column48_0eb529-2a inner-column-3\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4288\" height=\"2848\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red.jpg\" alt=\"The erosion of Fernald Point with a scale\" class=\"wp-image-162\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:100px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red.jpg 4288w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-105x70.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-317x211.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-423x281.jpg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-634x421.jpg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-846x562.jpg 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-951x632.jpg 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-1268x842.jpg 1268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,4288px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_590f60-ed, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_590f60-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_590f60-ed\"]{text-align:center;font-size:18px;font-weight:900;font-style:normal;font-family:stratum-1-web;text-transform:uppercase;color:#003263;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_590f60-ed mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_590f60-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_590f60-ed\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_590f60-ed img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_590f60-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_590f60-ed\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_590f60-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_590f60-ed\"] a, a.kb-advanced-heading-link.kt-adv-heading-link48_590f60-ed{text-decoration:none;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_590f60-ed, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_590f60-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_590f60-ed\"]{text-align:center!important;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_590f60-ed, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_590f60-ed[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_590f60-ed\"]{margin-top:0px;text-align:center!important;}}<\/style>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/why-are-middens-eroding\/\" class=\"kb-advanced-heading-link kt-adv-heading-link48_590f60-ed hls-none\"><h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading48_590f60-ed wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_590f60-ed\">Why are Middens Eroding?<\/h3><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id48_826de6-d8 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id48_826de6-d8 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id48_826de6-d8 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(35% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 2 )\/3)))minmax(0, calc(30% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 2 )\/3)))minmax(0, calc(35% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 2 )\/3)));}.kb-row-layout-id48_826de6-d8 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id48_826de6-d8 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-right:50px;padding-left:50px;grid-template-columns:repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id48_826de6-d8 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id48_826de6-d8 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-right:25px;padding-left:25px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id48_826de6-d8 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id48_826de6-d8 alignnone um-UMBlueIconSet wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-3-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column48_8c8564-4e > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column48_8c8564-4e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column48_8c8564-4e > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column48_8c8564-4e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column48_8c8564-4e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column48_8c8564-4e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column48_8c8564-4e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column48_8c8564-4e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column48_8c8564-4e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column48_8c8564-4e inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4288\" height=\"2848\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red.jpg\" alt=\"Grouping of flowers found at Holmes Point\" class=\"wp-image-150\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:100px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red.jpg 4288w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-105x70.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-317x211.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-423x281.jpg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-634x421.jpg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-846x562.jpg 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-951x632.jpg 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-1268x842.jpg 1268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,4288px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6\"]{text-align:center;font-size:18px;font-weight:900;font-style:normal;font-family:stratum-1-web;text-transform:uppercase;color:#003263;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6\"] a, a.kb-advanced-heading-link.kt-adv-heading-link48_0717ff-a6{text-decoration:none;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6\"]{text-align:center!important;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6\"]{margin-top:0px;text-align:center!important;}}<\/style>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/why-are-shell-middens-culturally-sensitive\/\" class=\"kb-advanced-heading-link kt-adv-heading-link48_0717ff-a6 hls-none\"><h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_0717ff-a6\">Why are Middens culturally sensitive?<\/h3><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column48_ca8da7-05 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column48_ca8da7-05 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column48_ca8da7-05 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column48_ca8da7-05 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column48_ca8da7-05 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column48_ca8da7-05 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column48_ca8da7-05{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column48_ca8da7-05 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column48_ca8da7-05 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column48_ca8da7-05 inner-column-2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"6016\" height=\"4000\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1.jpg\" alt=\"Alice Kelley sitting on a rock writing in her field journal\" class=\"wp-image-84\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:100px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1.jpg 6016w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-105x70.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-317x211.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-423x281.jpg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-634x422.jpg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-846x563.jpg 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-951x632.jpg 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-1268x843.jpg 1268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,6016px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_06120e-5d, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_06120e-5d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_06120e-5d\"]{text-align:center;font-size:18px;font-weight:900;font-style:normal;font-family:stratum-1-web;text-transform:uppercase;color:#003263;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_06120e-5d mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_06120e-5d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_06120e-5d\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_06120e-5d img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_06120e-5d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_06120e-5d\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_06120e-5d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_06120e-5d\"] a, 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.kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column48_154852-35 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column48_154852-35 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column48_154852-35 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column48_154852-35 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column48_154852-35{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column48_154852-35 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column48_154852-35 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column48_154852-35 inner-column-3\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"809\" height=\"458\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-07-at-3.07.47-PM.png\" alt=\"A group of people discussing how to survey an archaeological site\" class=\"wp-image-229\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:100px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-07-at-3.07.47-PM.png 809w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-07-at-3.07.47-PM-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-07-at-3.07.47-PM-768x435.png 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-07-at-3.07.47-PM-105x59.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-07-at-3.07.47-PM-317x179.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-07-at-3.07.47-PM-423x239.png 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-07-at-3.07.47-PM-634x359.png 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-07-at-3.07.47-PM-320x180.png 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,809px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_946e37-11, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_946e37-11[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_946e37-11\"]{text-align:center;font-size:18px;font-weight:900;font-style:normal;font-family:stratum-1-web;text-transform:uppercase;color:#003263;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_946e37-11 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_946e37-11[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_946e37-11\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_946e37-11 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_946e37-11[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_946e37-11\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading48_946e37-11[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading48_946e37-11\"] a, 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environments. Archaeologically, middens&nbsp;preserve a record of thousands of years of coastal occupation.&nbsp;While much of the early coastal region of Maine is now submerged, it is likely that people occupied the newly&nbsp;revealed&nbsp;landscape shortly after the&nbsp;recession of the ice and the retreat of the post-glacial coastal inundation. This [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":624,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-48","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Why are Middens Important? - Maine Midden Minders - University of Maine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/why-are-middens-important\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why are Middens Important? - Maine Midden Minders - University of Maine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Middens are an archive of ancient coastal lifeways and environments. 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