Abstract

Textile technologies in the Northeast are scantly evidenced in the archaeological record, due to the acidic soils in the region. Contrary to this, however, numerous partially mineralized textile artifacts were excavated from the Augustine Mound, a prehistoric Mi'kmaq cemetery located on the Metepenagiag (Red Bank) reserve in New Brunswick, Canada. Such preservation was afforded due to the inclusion of several thousand copper beads. Among these artifacts are textiles that represent the earliest known forms of textile arts for the region. These artifacts vary in form and structure, and include twined, and plaited fabric, basketry, and matting, as well as wrapped textiles, braids, and cordage on which shell and copper beads were strung. Many of these technologies are still practiced by the Mi'kmaq people, such as in the manufacture of woodsplint basketry, and rush matting. This paper will explore linkages of continuity and change between these past and present textile technologies.