Abbe Museum shows Indian shell midden

BAR HARBOR – The Abbe Museum has completed a three-dimensional installation showing archaeology of a shell heap, or midden, representing sites commonly found along the Maine coast. The exhibit discusses the information that can be learned from middens and the importance of preserving them.

Archaeology is an essential component of the Abbe’s work. Along with other sources such as written history and oral history, archaeology is an important way of knowing how people lived in the past.

Shell middens are sites where Native Americans camped and discarded shells and other food remains along with artifacts and broken tools. Because the calcium in shells helps reduce the acid in the soil, middens help preserve organic materials such as plants and bones, providing especially rich resources of information. From these remains, archaeologists learn what animals were hunted and how bone was used for tools.

The installation show how stratigraphy, the study of the layers of the earth, reveals information about different archaeological periods, with the oldest artifacts found in the deepest layers. Examples of artifacts demonstrate the range of tools made and used by native people through various time periods.

The archaeology installation includes a large composite photo of people who have participated in Abbe archaeology field schools. The exhibit was created with the assistance of graphics production consultant Chris Martin of Stockton Springs and artist Joe Rizzo of North Brooksville, who hand-carved the “midden” from high-density foam. Visitors are encouraged to touch the installation.

The new installation is at the museum’s downtown location, 26 Mount Desert St., Bar Harbor. Through Oct. 20 hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Beginning Oct. 25, the museum will resume winter hours.

For information, call 288-3519, email abbe@midmaine.com; or visit the museum’s Web site, www.abbemuseum.org.