Archaeologists at the Colony of Avalon have made a remarkable discovery: what are believed to be the first wampum beads ever found in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The beads were uncovered in a 17th-century refuse deposit within the site’s historic buttery by Memorial University graduate student Calum Brydon. Traditionally crafted by Indigenous peoples from shell and used for diplomacy, trade, and cultural exchange, wampum played an important role in Indigenous and early colonial history.
The discovery provides new insight into the connections between Ferryland and the wider Atlantic world during the colonial period and highlights the diverse cultural interactions that helped shape early Newfoundland.
This exciting find is another example of the internationally significant archaeological resources preserved at the Colony of Avalon. With more than 2 million artifacts recovered and processed, ongoing research continues to reveal new stories about the people who lived, worked, traded, and travelled through Ferryland more than 400 years ago.
Wampum Beads
