How did early Māori society develop? New research reveals a clearer timeline
Radiocarbon dating at two archaeological sites shows how early settlers adapted to life in Aotearoa, with some economic changes happening sooner than thought.
Early Māori society developed through a transition from early settlements to classic Māori culture, as revealed by new research offering a more precise timeline. This process began around 750 years ago when Polynesian settlers arrived in New Zealand. Traditionally, archaeologists divided early Māori history into three broad periods, with the first spanning from 1250 to 1400, marked by settlement establishment and hunting of native wildlife like moa.
A transitional period followed, giving way to the emergence of classic Māori society around 1600, characterized by intensive food production, fortified settlements, and distinctive cultural traditions. However, uncertainties remained regarding the timeline of these shifts.
To address these uncertainties, researchers utilized high-precision radiocarbon dating, statistical modeling, and "wiggle-matching" to overcome challenges in accurately determining the age of archaeological remains. By combining these methods with evidence from two key sites, Waihemo on the east coast of the South Island and Kokohuia overlooking Hokianga Harbour in Northland, the research provided a clearer picture of the timeline.
At Waihemo, earlier estimates suggested the site was occupied for only 20 to 50 years during the 14th century. However, new radiocarbon dates revealed that the site was used repeatedly between 1320 and 1440, contrary to the initial belief of a short occupation period. This extended timeline helped explain why artifacts from both early Polynesian settlers and later periods were found at the site, indicating a gradual change in activities rather than a single early occupation phase.
Similarly, at Kokohuia, earlier radiocarbon dating suggested the site was occupied only briefly, but new dating methods refined the findings. Charred twigs and hīnau seeds provided more reliable dating than older, larger branches. The analysis showed that discarded shellfish and fish bones accumulated around 1600, and ovens beneath these food remains dated back to around 1440.
These findings aligned with other archaeological evidence, such as two-piece shell fishhooks similar to those found at later Māori sites, helping to resolve discrepancies between archaeological data and earlier dating results.
The revised dating, which narrows down events to just 20 or 30 years, offers a more nuanced understanding of the changes from early Polynesian settlement to the emergence of classic Māori society. This precision brings researchers closer to connecting archaeological evidence with Māori oral traditions, which preserve accounts of past events and communities. The research acknowledges the support and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of the local mana whenua (tribal people) and collaboration with fellow researchers.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
