The coast of New England once stood higher than it does today. Notable evidence: the peat beds which are below the present sea level. Until recently scientists did not know whether the land was still sinking. Some thought that New England's coastline had been stabilized.
In Science, Biologist Elso S. Barghoorn of Harvard tells about recent archaeological studies that have pretty well settled the question. Ancient Indian fish weirs found under Boston's Boylston Street have been excavated and their age determined by carbon 14 dating. One weir proved to be about 4,500 years old. Its position below sea level indicates that the...