Evaluating New Radiocarbon Dates from Midden Deposits near Moriori Tree Carvings, Rēkohu (Chatham Island)

Abstract

Images indented into living kōpī (Corynocarpus laevigatus) trees by Polynesian Moriori of the Chatham Islands are a novel, indigenous Oceanic carving expression. Currently the absolute chronology of the kōpī tree carving (rākau momori) tradition is poorly resolved. In a recent Rēkohu (Chatham Island) investigation, two isolated shell midden sites were recorded and excavated in the vicinity of rākau momori clusters. A cultural landscape assessment provides reasonable cause to identify each carved tree cluster and midden association as discrete social space. Radiocarbon dates on paired marine shellfish samples of different taxa from the Kaingaroa Station Covenant midden and on paired marine and terrestrial kōpī seed samples from the Taia Bush Historic Reserve midden are reported. At the least these dates identify probable, pre-19th century Moriori use of kōpī forest. On site context grounds we suggest that these dates may represent a terminus ante quem for the tree carving tradition as well.