Archaeologists in Newfoundland’s eastern region made a significant find this summer, discovering what are believed to be the first wampum beads found in the province. Calum Brydon, a graduate student of archaeology at Memorial University, uncovered seven beads while excavating at the Colony of Avalon in Ferryland, the former settlement of early Newfoundland governor Baron George Calvert of Baltimore. The beads, made from quahog and whelk shells, are white and purple tubular ornaments that were utilized by Indigenous peoples in northeastern North America for various purposes, including ornamental, ceremonial, mnemonic, and trading functions.
The researchers in Ferryland suggest that the wampum beads might have been acquired through trade with English or Dutch merchants who interacted with Indigenous groups and then brought them to the Colony of Avalon. Barry Gaulton, an archaeology professor at Memorial University, emphasized the significance of this discovery in shedding light on life at the 17th-century settlement, which was established as a refuge for Roman Catholics fleeing religious persecution in England. Gaulton noted that the site, although well-preserved, lacks comprehensive documentation, making each new artifact a valuable piece in understanding the colony’s history and connections with other regions.
Over the years, nearly two million artifacts, including gold coins and a copper crucifix, have been unearthed at the Colony of Avalon. The meticulous excavation process, involving trowels and one-millimeter mesh wet screens for sifting soil, has led to continuous discoveries. This summer, the researchers found unexpected items like gaming pieces and hidden structural remains, altering their interpretation of the colony’s layout and activities. Brydon’s discovery of wampum in the colony’s buttery area, alongside previously unseen walls, exemplifies the ongoing surprises and insights gained from excavations at the site.
Gaulton expressed enthusiasm for the unique discoveries at the Colony of Avalon, highlighting the rarity of large stone structures and the exceptional preservation of artifacts found there. These continual revelations underscore the importance of ongoing archaeological work at the site in uncovering the rich history of this early European settlement in North America.