Marine Canoe Discovered in Chatham Islands – History

Hundreds of Waka were found in the Chatham Islands, 500 miles east of New Zealand, a traditional Polynesian marine canoe. The age of the vessel is not known until the radiocarbon dating results, but it is certainly historical and has great cultural significance for the unprecedented quantity and diversity of surviving materials. Research on the recycling of Waka will bring new insights into the history of Polynesia’s marine travel and shipbuilding.

The fragments were discovered last winter by farmer and fisherman Vincent Dix and his son Nikau in a creek. When Nikau found some wood in a stream near their home, they were ready to take their dogs to run on the beach. The two retrieved a few pieces, thinking they made a beautiful coffee table or stuff at home. When they put the pieces together, they realize that its shape is what it causes. After a storm, they returned to the stream and found another piece of wood, an interesting carving. At that time, they realized that the wood was part of Waka and had informed the authorities.

In January, a team of archaeologists began digging the site with permission from nearby landowners to expand the excavation and restore all parts of all the Waka they could find. Finally, over 450 Wakas were retrieved. Due to the water in the environment, it preserves fragile materials such as disc fiber rigging, which is essential for achieving accurate radiocarbon ages.

The restored parts range from a five-meter-long wooden board with tied holes to small pieces of iridescent Pāua (abalo) shells and obsidian used in the decoration. Several smaller carved wooden boards still contain exquisite wooden obsidian discs. The team also found a braided rope and other woven fabrics, which could be part of the sail.

For Maui Solomon, president of the Moriori Imi Settlement Trust, there is no doubt that it was a “Vaka of Moriori’s ancestors” that brought some of his ancestors hundreds of years ago.

Solomon advocated for the right story of Moriori’s history throughout his life, and he also recognized that Waka’s notch and long bird-like handles were prominent features used in smaller traditional coastal Moori boats.

He said the discovery coincides with the oral tradition recorded in the 19th century Moriori history.

The discovery website has been rebuilt for its own protection, but there are more Wakas still there waiting for subsequent excavations. Currently, all recovered debris are comfortably placed in tanks filled with water that have preserved them for many years. This will keep the wood stable and prevent the parts from drying while taking the next steps in accordance with New Zealand’s heritage law.

In accordance with the requirements of the Protected Objects Act, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage issued a public notice to any person or group for 60 days to register for the ownership claim of Waka, known as Taoonga Tūturu, which protects cultural objects that embody mana (spiritual power), Whakapapa (lineage) and Mauri (Mauri) and Mauri (Life Force). The Maori Land Court will rule on all ownership claims, but Taoonga Tūturu cannot be sold or traded in any way. The notice will expire on April 7.

The items will remain on the island under the supervision of protectors, and tribal authorities have approved researchers to allow small samples of WAKA to be used for radiocarbon dating and other scientific analyses, hoping to determine the geographical origins of the material.