The Identification of a Marquesan Adze in the Cook Islands

Authors

  • Andrew McAlister University of Auckland
  • Peter J Sheppard University of Auckland
  • Melinda S Allen University of Auckland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15286/jps.122.3.257-274

Abstract

We report on the provenance of an adze from the Cook Islands that was previously geochemically analysed by Sheppard, Walter and Parker (1997) but could not be assigned a source at that time because of the paucity of reference data. Drawing on basalt characterisation studies from the last two decades, we can now demonstrate that the adze most likely derives from the Marquesan island of Eiao, over 2500 km to the east. This find extends the western distribution of the Eiao basalt source, which was previously limited to the Society Islands.

Author Biographies

Andrew McAlister, University of Auckland

Andrew McAlister holds a PhD from the Department of Anthropology, University of Auckland, New Zealand. His 2011 thesis focused on the geochemical and physical analysis of Marquesan basalt artefacts. He is currently investigating the geochemistry and distribution of lithic materials in the Marquesas Islands, the Cook Islands and New Zealand as a means of identifying cultural interaction.

Peter J Sheppard, University of Auckland

Peter Sheppard is currently Head of the Department of Anthropology at the University of Auckland. His interests include the archaeology of the Solomon Islands where he has conducted research since 1989. His methodological expertise lies in Archaeological Science with one focus being on the sourcing and study of lithic material culture and its distribution within the Pacific including New Zealand.

Melinda S Allen, University of Auckland

Melinda Allen is an Associate Professor in Anthropology at the University of Auckland. She has conducted archaeological research in the southern Cook and Marquesas Islands since 1987. She is currently leading an inter-disciplinary study in the Cook Islands examining palaeoclimate change and the effects on prehistoric populations and their marine resources. This research is supported by the Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund.

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Published

2013-12-21

Issue

Vol. 122 No. 3 (2013)

Section

Articles

License

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