1,721,013 research outputs found
Resurrection of the prehistoric dead : the personal histories of sixteen ancient inhabitants of eastern Palliser bay.
Get PDF[…] The present study is an attempt to elucidate these conditions for a small group of people living on the Eastern Shore of Palliser Bay in the twelfth century A.D. The success of the group under observation in relation to the stress under which it existed is expressed in terms of the longevity of the individuals who composed it, their health throughout life and the ability of the group to perpetuate itself through the successful rearing of children.
A statement of the degree of success achieved is presented in two parts. In the first, all the presently discoverable details of the medical and social life history of each of the individuals under study is presented. Each of these records begins with the basic information of sex, length of life and cause of death. From there, the details of illness during life, its periodicity, severity and effect upon the individual, is documented.
Relationships with other individuals in or absent from the samples available are also considered in terms of genetic links (Berry and Berry, 1967; Anderson, 1968). Kinship ties are inferred including paternalism where evidence of parity and pregnancy is observed on females (Angel, 1969; Stewart, 1970; Houghton, n.d.). Evidence of any aggressive behaviour between the individuals under study is also included in the records.
This discussion of the links between individuals within the samples is basic to the second stage of the appraisal of 'success'. The records for individuals are brought together to form a picture of the conditions of life for a small group of people, and of the viability of that group in relation to these conditions. […] [Extract from Chapter 1
Stable isotopes and diet : indications of the marine and terrestrial component in the diets of prehistoric populations from New Zealand and the Pacific
Get PDFThe importance of marine versus terrestrial foods in prehistoric Pacific and New Zealand diets, and the adaptation of the Polynesian diet to new enviroments, is examined through the analysis of the ratios in human bone of the stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur. In particular, this study seeks to obtain quantitative information which could provide answers to five main questions, relating to the subsistence focus of the early Lapita colonists in the Pacific, the significance of suger cane in the diets of early Pacific populations, the proportions of reef versus open ocean and terrestrial versus marine foods in these diets, and the identification of populations with pronounced marine or pronounced terrestrial diets.
One hundred and nineteen samples of human bone from 13 sites throughtout the Pacific and New Zealand were processed. Nitrogen values were obtained directly from bone powder, while carbon values were determined from collagen produced by digesting bone powder in phosphoric acid. Sulphur evaluations were determined from a BaSo⁴ precipitate, produced after combustion of the collagen samples in a Parr bomb.
Interpretation of results is approached from a comparative point of view, which enables the proportions of marine and terrestrial foods in the diets of each study group to be assessed in relation to the diets of all the other groups. Additional information on the composition of the diets is gained by comparing the stable isotope values obtained in this study with published values of other human populations, and of marine and terrrestrial plants and animals.
The potential of stable isotope analysis to identify the composition of prehistoric New Zealand and Pacific diets is confirmed. A unique marine adaptation is revealed from the analysis of the Chatham Islands Moriori who appear to have focused almost exclusively on marine resources. In contrast, a highly terrestrial diet is suggested for groups from Nebira in Papua New Guinea and Lake Rotoiti in New Zealand
Obsidian and New Zealand archaeology : a paradigm for sourcing artefact assemblages using X-ray fluorescence spectrography
No full textThe prehistoric exploitation and knowledge of geological resources in Southern Wairarapa.
No full text(…) This thesis explores the use of the local and eternal geological environments by small groups of people living on the east coast of Palliser Bay, in southern Wairarapa. The rock types recovered from the archaeological sites in this area were identified and attempts made to pinpoint their sources. The resulting information was used to suggest the nature of the exploitation and to extrapolate possible inter-group relationships through time. The implicit objective of the study was to demonstrate the breadth of the knowledge of their geological surroundings possessed by the Palliser Bay people. [Extract from Introduction
The prehistoric exploitation and knowledge of geological resources in Southern Wairarapa.
No full text(…) This thesis explores the use of the local and eternal geological environments by small groups of people living on the east coast of Palliser Bay, in southern Wairarapa. The rock types recovered from the archaeological sites in this area were identified and attempts made to pinpoint their sources. The resulting information was used to suggest the nature of the exploitation and to extrapolate possible inter-group relationships through time. The implicit objective of the study was to demonstrate the breadth of the knowledge of their geological surroundings possessed by the Palliser Bay people. [Extract from Introduction
Archaeometric studies of cordyline (TI) based on ethnobotanical and archaeological research
Get PDFThe prehistoric utilization of Cordyline (ti) in southern New Zealand was studied using a multidisciplinary approach.
The ethnographic literature on the prehistoric use of Cordyline in the Pacific area and particularly in New Zealand was reviewed. Cordyline had several uses, the main ones being, food, cordage, medicine, and a material for plaiting.
Cordyline terminalis is the commonest species in Oceania. It was also introduced into New Zealand by Maori, but there were four endemic species which provided food for the early inhabitants.
Large earth ovens (umu ti) were used to cook Cordyline. Many earth ovens, from two to eight metres in diameter, still exist in southern New Zealand. A site surveying and excavation programme was carried out in South Canterbury to investigate these ovens.
Radiocarbon dates on excavated ovens indicate that they were used throughout the prehistoric period of Maori occupation in South Canterbury. The construction of these ovens revealed through archaeological investigations was found to be identical with ethnographic descriptions. Residue analyses on soil from large raised-rim ovens indicate they were used for cooking Cordyline australis (the commonest species of Cordyline in New Zealand). Insect remains excavated from ovens point to a late spring to autumn use for cooking.
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A thermoluminescence (TL) dating method using quartz inclusions from greywacke ovenstones was developed. A description of the equipment is given. Problems of dosimetry and measurement of TL is discussed and a recommended method of TL dating ovenstones is presented. TL dates and C-14 dates from the same ovens are compared.
A nutritional study of Cordyline was undertaken. Complete proximate analyses of C. australis plants collected over a one year period were done. Maximum carbohydrate levels in the stems of C. australis occurred in late spring. This time is coincident with the recorded times of harvesting by Maori. Ti was found to be a rich source of carbohydrates, mainly fructose with some glucose from a
glucofructofuranan type of polysaccharide. This polysaccharide required long cooking times (~24 hours) to convert it to edible sugars.
Research points to Cordyline being a useful and important plant throughout Polynesia and especially in southern New Zealand
The exploitation of Mayor Island obsidian in prehistoric New Zealand
No full textObsidian in New Zealand was exploited from a variety of sources, and has been found in the majority of New Zealand archaeological sites. The presence of obsidian from the Mayor Island sources in most sites has been noted by archaeologists, and it has been assumed that a complex exchange system was responsible for its distribution. The purpose of the present thesis has been to evaluate the importance of Mayor Island as the· main supply source of obsidian in prehistoric New Zealand, and to study the pattern of exploitation and distribution of the obsidian.
The analysis employed two separate approaches: site-oriented and regional. On a site-oriented basis, the quarries on Mayor Island were examined, particularly the production and procurement strategies. Ethnographic and comparable archaeological data on quarry exploitation were reviewed in order to test for evidence of access restrictions to the resources.
For the regional analysis, archaeological obsidian assemblages from 58 sites were sourced using energy dispersive XRF spectroscopy. Sourcing results indicate a changing pattern of source utilization throughout the temporal depth of New Zealand prehistory. The pattern of source utilization also varied according to site function.
The regional analysis of Mayor Island obsidian investigated further the importance of the Mayor Island obsidian in in the total lithic assemblages of the sites studied, and the nature of· the manufacturing techniques in relation to geographical distance from the source, by means of fall-off curves.
Using this combined methodological approach it was possible to conclude that the exploitation of Mayor Island obsidian varied between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. While direct access seems to be the most probable way of acquiring the raw materials in the North Island, down-the-line exchange seems to be indicated for the South Island
Archaeology and behaviour : prehistoric subsistence behaviour at Black Rocks Peninsula, Palliser Bay.
No full text[…] This thesis is an attempt, on a small scale, therefore, to examine certain facets of behaviour of people who exploited the food resources and deposited the middens of Black Rocks Peninsula, Palliser Bay, to see whether the causes of that behaviour can be observed, and to what degree such causes might be ascribed to processes common to man and other animals. Before detailing the course of research and its results, however, it is necessary to first consider in detail the grounds upon which such a behavioural approach may be considered as a useful part of archaeology. [Extract from Introduction
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