Kohika: The Archaeology of a Late Maori Lake Village

297 Pages·2004·30.97 MB·English

by  Geoffrey Irwin

Kohika
Ko whakapaukorero te maunga
Ko Tarawera te awa
Ko Ngati Awa te iwi
Ko Mataatua te waka
Ko Te Kohika te pa
Ko Tupai, Ko Tutarakauika, Ko Te Rangihiiria, Ko Tuara nga taniwha
Ko Matataketake me Tiki nga mauri kohatu
Ko Te Awa o Te Atua te kotore
Ko Otamaroroa te papa whenua
Ko Tamarau te kaitiaki wairua
Ko Te Kaokaoroa te akua
Ko Waimea, Ko Waitepuru, Ko Awatarariki, Ko Awaitipaku, Ko Awaiti,
Ko Omehue, Ko Awakaponga, Ko Te Waikamihi, Ko Mangaone nga awa
Ko Te Otaramuturangi, Ko Tiepataua, Ko Te Awakaponga, Ko Te Ahikokoai,
Ko Awatarerehika, Ko Te Umuhika nga urupa.
Ngati Awa pepeha
Whakapaukorero is the mountain
Tarawera is the river
Ngati Awa is the tribe
Mataatua is the canoe
Te Kohika is the pa
Tupai, Tutarakauika, Te Rangihiiria, and Tuara are the guardians
Matataketake and Tiki are the talismans
Te Awa o Te Atua is the estuary
Otamaroroa is the locality
Tamarau is the spirit guide
Te Kaokaoroa is the coastline
Waimea, Waitepuru, Awatarariki, Awaitipaku, Awaiti, Omehue, Awakaponga,
Te Waikamihi and Mangaone are the streams
Te Otaramuturangi, Tiepataua, Te Awakaponga, Te Ahikokoai, Awatarerehika
and Te Umuhika are the cemeteries.
Ngati Awa proverbial saying
Kohika
The archaeology of a late Maori lake village in
the Ngati Awa rohe, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Edited by Geoffrey Irwin
Auckland University Press
First published 2004
Auckland University Press
University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland, New Zealand
www.auckland.ac.nz/aup
© the authors 2004
ISBN 1 86940 315 0
This book is Memoir 9 of the Whakatane and District Historical Society,
which has provided assistance with its publication.
National Library of New Zealand Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
Kohika : the archaeology of a late Ma¯ori lake village in the Nga¯ti
Awa rohe, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand / edited by Geoffrey Irwin.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 1-86940-315-0
1. Ngati Awa (New Zealand people)—Antiquities. 2. Excavations
(Archaeology)—New Zealand—Kohika (Rangitaiki Plains)
3. Kohika Site (N.Z.) I. Irwin, Geoffrey.
993.4201—dc 22
This book is copyright. Apart from fair dealing for the purpose of private study,
research, criticism, or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may
be reproduced by any process without the prior permission of the publisher.
Designed and typeset by Amy Tansell
Printed by Printlink Ltd, Wellington
Contents
List of tables vi
List of figures vii
List of plates ix
Acknowledgements xiii
1. An introduction to Kohika in historical and archaeological context 1
G.J. Irwin, R.G. Law, I. Lawlor and P. Ngaropo
2. Kohika in the geomorphological context of the Rangitaiki Plains 11
G.J. Irwin
3. The impact of Polynesian settlement on the vegetation of the coastal Bay of Plenty 20
M.S. McGlone and K.L. Jones
4. Excavations and site history at Kohika 45
G.J. Irwin
5. Site chronology 76
G.J. Irwin and M.D. Jones
6. The wooden artefacts from Kohika 83
R.T. Wallace and G.J. Irwin
7. Houses, pataka and woodcarving at Kohika 122
R.T. Wallace, G.J. Irwin and R. Neich
8. Kohika fibrework 149
S. McAra
9. Artefacts of bone, tooth, pumice and pounamu 160
G.J. Irwin
10. Sources of the Kohika obsidian artefacts 168
P.R. Moore
11. The Kohika obsidian artefacts: technology and distribution 177
S.J. Holdaway
12. Faunal remains from Kohika 198
G.J. Irwin, R.K. Nichol, M.A. Taylor, T.H. Worthy and I.W.G. Smith
13. Evidence for diet, parasites, pollen, phytoliths, diatoms and starch grains in
prehistoric coprolites from Kohika 217
G.J. Irwin, M. Horrocks, L.J. Williams, H.J. Hall, M.S. McGlone and S.L. Nichol
14. Kohika as a late northern Maori lake village 239
G.J. Irwin
Appendix Inventory of wooden and fibre items 249
R.T. Wallace and G.J. Irwin
Index 260
List of tables
Table 1.1 Frequency of sites by type in the Rangitaiki Plains and surrounding area
Table 3.1 Radiocarbon dates, Kohika pollen site (Square D17)
Table 5.1 Chronometric data used in the current analysis
Table 5.2 Summary posterior distributions for Phase 2 start, Phase 2 end and Phase 2 duration
Table 6.1 Characteristics of the bird spear fragments
Table 6.2 Comb dimensions (mm)
Table 7.1 Estimated dimensions of excavated houses and pataka
Table 8.1 Single spiral-wrapped bundles of harakeke (1SWB)
Table 8.2 Two-ply spiral-wrapped bundles of harakeke (2PSW)
Table 8.3 Three-ply cordage
Table 8.4 Three-ply braid variants
Table 8.5 Plaited twill with narrow strips
Table 8.6 Plaited check with broad strips
Table 8.7 Netting and component parts
Table 8.8 Other pieces: fragments whose technique is unclear
Table 8.9 Contents of boxes (KOH number and technique)
Table 9.1 Artefacts from Kohika
Table 10.1 Size, roundness and sphericity of Kohika obsidian pebbles
Table 10.2 XRF analyses of obsidian samples from Kohika and Maketu
Table 11.1 Complete flake mean dimensions (and standard deviation) by exterior scar direction
for all areas in the university excavation, Mayor Island obsidian
Table 11.2 Maximum dimension of cores by scar pattern for all areas in the university
excavation, Mayor Island obsidian
Table 11.3 Maximum dimension for proximal, medial and distal fragments by exterior scar
pattern, Mayor Island obsidian
Table 11.4 Complete flake mean dimensions (and standard deviation) from the Historical
Society assemblage by exterior scar pattern, Mayor Island obsidian
Table 11.5 Mean dimensions for complete platform rejuvenation flakes from all areas in the
university excavation, Mayor Island obsidian
Table 11.6 Mean dimensions for complete flakes of length greater than 23 mm, by exterior
scar direction from all areas in the university excavation, Mayor Island obsidian
Table 11.7 Mean dimensions (and standard deviations) of complete tools compared with
complete flakes for all areas in the university excavations, Mayor Island obsidian
Table 11.8 Mean dimensions (and standard deviation) for pieces with macroscopic edge
modification by type for all areas excavated by the university, Mayor Island obsidian
Table 11.9 Mean dimensions (and standard deviation) for complete tools from the Historical
Society assemblage by edge modification type, Mayor Island obsidian
Table 11.10 Frequency of edge-modified pieces, flakes and cores by area, Mayor Island obsidian
Table 11.11 Mean length (and standard deviation) of complete flakes with length > 23 mm by
exterior scar morphology and area, Mayor Island obsidian
Table 11.12 Frequency of complete and fragmented flakes of length > 23 mm by area, Mayor
Island obsidian
Table 11.13 Number and weight of flakes and flake fragments of maximum dimension less
than 10 mm by area, Mayor Island obsidian
Table 11.14 Complete flakes with length > 23 mm from the university excavations compared
with those excavated by the Whakatane Historical Society, Mayor Island obsidian
Table 11.15 Frequency of complete and fragmented tools by type of edge modification and
area
Table 11.16 Length of notched area of edge modification for all notched tools by region
Table 11.17 Maketu and Taupo obsidian technological types
Table 11.18 Proportion of cortex on flakes and edge-modified pieces from all areas, Mayor
Island obsidian
Table 12.1 Minimum number of individual mammals
Table 12.2 Human bone by excavation area
vi
Table 12.3 Dog body parts by excavation area
Table 12.4 Taphonomic variables for identified dog bone by excavated area
Table 12.5 Estimated ages of dogs at death
Table 12.6 Avian taxa represented among identifiable elements in the Kohika assemblage with
data from all squares and layers amalgamated
Table 12.7 Frequencies of fish species, by area
Table 12.8 Fish species frequencies by layer, Area D
Table 12.9 Bone class frequencies for jack mackerel, Area D
Table 12.10 Shellfish from Kohika
Table 12.11 Shell samples from the White House, Area D
Table 12.12 Shell samples from the Yellow House, Area D
Table 12.13 Shell samples from the Bright Yellow floor, Area D
Table 13.1 Samples included in coprolite analyses
Table 13.2 Physical attributes of coprolites analysed
Table 13.3 Components of coprolites, weights and percentages
Table 13.4 Incidence of fish body parts in Kohika coprolites
Table 13.5 Seeds from Kohika coprolites
Table 13.6 Percentages of inorganic material
Table 13.7 Variation in coprolite no.19
List of figures
Figure 1.1 The former river courses of the Rangitaiki Plains and communication routes
recorded in early maps (Gibbons 1990, Hunia 1977)
Figure 1.2 Archaeological sites recorded in the area of the Rangitaiki Plains
Figure 2.1 The geomorphology of the Rangitaiki Plains
Figure 2.2 Former shorelines and river courses on the Rangitaiki Plains
Figure 2.3 Soils of the Rangitaiki Plains in the vicinity of Kohika (after Pullar 1985)
Figure 3.1 The Bay of Plenty lowlands with pollen sites underlined
Figure 3.2 Pollen site stratigraphy: Kohika pollen site (excavation Square D17), Tunapahore
archaeological site complex and Thornton-Atkinson archaeological site
Figure 3.3a Kohika, percentage pollen diagram
Figure 3.3b Kohika, percentage pollen diagram
Figure 3.3c Kohika, percentage pollen diagram
Figure 3.3d Kohika, percentage pollen diagram
Figure 3.4a Thornton-Atkinson complex, percentage pollen diagram
Figure 3.4b Thornton-Atkinson complex, percentage pollen diagram
Figure 3.5 Tunapahore A, percentage pollen diagram
Figure 3.6a Tunapahore B, percentage pollen diagram
Figure 3.6b Tunapahore B, percentage pollen diagram
Figure 4.1 A contour map of Kohika showing the location of the excavations
Figure 4.2 Some representative section drawings from Area A
Figure 4.3 A plan of the excavated features in Area A
Figure 4.4 Square B1, north section
Figure 4.5 Square B1, south section
Figure 4.6 Square B1, plan of features at the base of the excavation
Figure 4.7 Square B3, east section
Figure 4.8 Square B4, west section
Figure 4.9 Square C1, south section
Figure 4.10 Square C1, west section
Figure 4.11 Square C7, south section
Figure 4.12 Square C10, north section
Figure 4.13 Area D, the layout of excavation units
Figure 4.14 Squares D1 and D2, all sections
vii
Figure 4.15 Area D, the White House horizon
Figure 4.16 Area D, the Yellow House horizon (stakeholes less than 10 cm deep are not shown)
Figure 4.17 Area D, the Bright Yellow horizon
Figure 4.18 Area D, Squares D12–15, trench
Figure 4.19 Historical Society investigations (with some of their notes)
Figure 5.1 Summary of the calibrated distributions for the chronometric data given in Table 5.1
Figure 5.2 Posterior distribution for Phase 2, start
Figure 5.3 Phase 2, end
Figure 5.4 Phase 2, duration
Figure 6.1 Bird spear point made from tree-fern trunk
Figure 6.2 Twelve digging sticks and one ko footrest
Figure 6.3 A weeder blade, a one-piece spade, and four handles of composite digging tools
Figure 6.4 Seven complete detachable digging-tool blades, one rough-out and one fragment
Figure 6.5 Part of a carving on a ceremonial ko
Figure 6.6 Seven broken shafts with terminal knobs, possibly handles from composite tools
Figure 6.7 Fifteen beaters and beater fragments
Figure 6.8 Four bowls and bowl fragments
Figure 6.9 A steering paddle rough-out
Figure 6.10 Canoe paddle and paddle fragments
Figure 6.11 Canoe hull pieces
Figure 6.12 Three canoe seats, one bulkhead and eight other fittings
Figure 6.13 Canoe bailers
Figure 6.14 Six heru or hair combs
Figure 6.15 Six darts or javelins
Figure 6.16 Seven potaka or spinning tops
Figure 6.17 An adze handle rough-out
Figure 6.18 A chisel handle and a chisel socket
Figure 6.19 A section of a putorino (flute)
Figure 6.20 Two net gauges
Figure 6.21 Two thread reels
Figure 6.22 Fibre-, net- and rope-working tools
Figure 6.23 Ladder
Figure 6.24 Wood-splitting wedges
Figure 6.25 Pegs
Figure 6.26 Items of unidentified function
Figure 7.1 A reconstruction of the carved house from the Historical Society (HS) Area
Figure 7.2 A reconstruction of the pole and thatch house from the Yellow House floor, Area D
Figure 7.3 A reconstruction of the pataka from Area D
Figure 7.4 Types of lashing holes on house planks
Figure 7.5 Poupou and other vertical house elements from the HS Area
Figure 7.6 Door or window parts from the HS Area
Figure 7.7 Tumatahuki battens from the HS Area
Figure 7.8 Possible fragments of pataka from the HS Area
Figure 7.9 Dressed slabs split from pukatea tree trunks, HS Area and Area B
Figure 7.10 Timbers recovered from Area D
Figure 7.11 The three rafters from Area D
Figure 7.12 Detail of rafter tenon joints
Figure 7.13 Parameters used to estimate the width of a building in Area D, based on rafter
dimensions
Figure 7.14 Two parts of pataka from Area D, plus two indeterminate items (KOH30 and 31)
Figure 7.15 Detail of the internal and external framing of a superior house
Figure 8.1a KOH298. Drawing of two-ply spiral-wrapped bunches of harakeke (2PSW)
Figure 8.1b Diagram of technique for making 2PSW
Figure 9.1 Bone hei tiki pendant, tooth pendant, bone toggle
Figure 9.2 Pounamu adze
viii
Figure 9.3 Pumice kumara god
Figure 10.1 Dimensions of obsidian pebbles from Kohika, Maketu and Otamarakau
Figure 10.2 Rb-Sr plots for analysed obsidian artefacts from Kohika (solid symbols) and source
samples from Maketu and Taupo
Figure 10.3 Zr-Rb plots for analysed obsidian artefacts from Kohika (solid symbols) and source
samples from Maketu and Taupo
Figure 10.4 Relative proportions of ‘grey pebble-type’ and ‘other grey’ obsidian from Kohika
Figure 11.1 Terms used to describe flake fragments. Proximal flakes include a platform, distal
flakes have a termination, and medial flakes lack a platform or a termination
Figure 11.2 Flakes with different exterior scar patterns. The identification numbers are given
in brackets: a (1703), b (1637), uni-directional; c (1907), d (1735), bi-directional;
e (1893), sub-radial; f (1688), radial
Figure 11.3 Quadrants for assessing scar orientation. The flake is orientated with the platform
at quadrant 1 (the figure is based on artefact 161)
Figure 11.4 Typology for edge modification: a (2617), b (2163), bifacial; c (2128), heavy;
d (1145), e (1687), f (2175), g (1850), light; h (2490), i and j (1822), k (1635),
notch
Figure 11.5 Dimensions of a complete flake
Figure 11.6 Core shapes: a (1525), pebble; b (1747), c (2248), multiple platform; d (2875),
e (3179), flake; f (2878), radial
Figure 11.7 Platform preparation flakes and flakes with two interior surfaces: a (2882),
b (2491), c (1589), d (1752) and e (1588)
Figure 11.8 Large flakes from Historical Society: a (94), b (96), c (150), d (161), e (98) and
f (158)
Figure 12.1 Size frequency distributions of snapper, kahawai and jack mackerel, Area D
Figure 12.2 Size frequency distributions of jack mackerel by layer, Area D
Figure 12.3 Size frequency distributions of pipi and tuatua, Area D
Figure 13.1 Components of Kohika coprolite samples, percentages by weight
Figure 13.2 Percentage pollen diagram for Kohika coprolite samples
Figure 13.3 Percentage phytolith diagram for Kohika coprolite samples
Figure 13.4 Percentage diatom diagram for Kohika coprolite samples
Figure 14.1 A schematic view northwards over Area D across the lake to the dunes and the
sea. In the left foreground is a reconstruction of Area D during the Yellow House
horizon. The houses, canoes, nets and racks on the right represent the artefacts
and building timbers found in the Historical Society Area. The palisade follows
the topography around the lake. The lakeshore vegetation of raupo, flax and
cabbage trees with patches of kahikatea and kanuka scrub is based on the pollen
record. The roofed pit and two small covered bins in the bottom right were actually
found in Area A.
List of plates
Plate 1.1 In 1975, Kohika was an inconspicuous, low-lying grassed mound in an area of
agricultural swamp drainage.
Plate 1.2 A whakanoa ceremony was conducted by Jack Fox, Romana Kingi, Mike Mason,
Harry Reneti and Albert Te Rere, of the Ratana, Anglican, Catholic, Ringatu and
Presbyterian churches respectively. The kaumatua placed the site and the artefacts
into the interim care of the University of Auckland.
Plate 1.3 After the discovery of artefacts, the first investigations were undertaken by mem-
bers of the Whakatane and District Historical Society. In this 1976 photograph
are (from left) Dave White, Ken Moore and the late Anton van der Wouden. The
spoil in the background was removed from the drain by a digging machine.
Plate 1.4 The University of Auckland excavations of Area D during the season of January,
1976.
ix