Pentagoet Archeological District, Archaeological site and National Historic Landmark in Castine, United States.
Pentagoet Archaeological District sits at the southern edge of the Bagaduce Peninsula and preserves the remains of a fortified trading post established by French colonists. Excavations have revealed the foundation layouts of storage buildings, barracks, and residential structures that show how the settlement was organized and used.
French colonists established this trading post around 1635 and operated it until English forces took control in 1654, shifting colonial power in the region. This transition marked a turning point in the competition between European powers for control of this strategic location.
The trading post served as a meeting place where Abenaki communities exchanged animal hides for European goods, creating a space where different peoples regularly encountered one another. You can sense this cross-cultural exchange reflected in the artifacts scattered across the site.
The site can be walked and explored on your own, with marked foundations and excavated areas showing different parts of the original settlement. Wear comfortable shoes since the ground is uneven in places, and information boards are positioned throughout to help you understand what you are seeing.
The artifacts uncovered here reveal a complex web of connections between French, English, Dutch, and Native American peoples, with each group leaving traces in the form of pottery, tools, and ammunition. Soldiers, traders, and indigenous residents lived on the same ground while competing for power and profit.
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