Chronology of the Prehistoric Periods
of Southern New England
Period Date Range
(Years Before Present - BP)
Contact Period 350-250 Years BP
Late Woodland Period 1200-350 Years BP
Middle Woodland Period 2000-1200 Years BP
Early Woodland Period 2700-2000 Years BP
Terminal Archaic Period 3400-2700 Years BP
Late Archaic Period 5000-3400 Years BP
Middle Archaic Period 7000-5000 Years BP
Early Archaic Period 9000-7000 Years BP
Paleoindian Period 12,000-9000 Years BP

This table presents the basic prehistoric sequence for southern New England. Archaeological research conducted in the lower Connecticut River Valley by McBride (1984) has contributed to a refined chronology of phases for the Late Archaic and Woodland Periods. The prehistoric phases, presented in the following table, are based on changes in subsistence and settlement. A more comprehensive culture history of southern New England is forthcoming.

Phases of the Archaic and Woodland Periods
in Southern New England
Phase Date Range
(Years Before Present - BP)
Hackney Pond 350-250 Years BP
Niantic 450-350 Years BP
Selden Creek 1250-450 Years BP
Roaring Brook 2000-1250 Years BP
Broeder Point 2700-2000 Years BP
Salmon Cove 3600-2700 Years BP
Vibert/Tinkham 4200-2900 Years BP
Golet Phase 4700-4200 Years BP

For more information on the prehistoric phases of southern New England see:

McBride, Kevin
1984 Prehistory of the Lower Connecticut River Valley. Unpublished dissertation, University of Connecticut, Storrs.