A reassessment of settlement patterns and subsistence atPointDurham,ChathamIsland

Bibliographic Data

ID6038451
AuthorsJustin J Maxwell (0000-0001-8803-5440, University of Otago), Ian Smith (0000-0003-1333-2090, University of Otago), Ian W G Smith (University of Otago)
Year2015
Volume50
Issue3
Pages162-174
Publication date2015-10-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueArchaeology in Oceania/Archæology & physical anthropology in Oceania (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0728-4896 • E-ISSN: 1834-4453
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/arco.5062
OpenAlexW1907724292
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited23

Orthodox reconstructions of subsistence and settlement patterns onChathamIsland proposed that throughout the pre‐contact period,Moriori lived within small home ranges and relied for food predominantly on fur seals, with plant foods being of little importance. Reassessment of thePointDurham sites on which these reconstructions were based demonstrates that they were not contemporary, which undermines the orthodox model. Chronological evidence indicates two phases of pre‐contact occupation and that the largest fur seal midden probably derives from the early historical period. During both pre‐contact phases, settlement patterns involved residential mobility between sites of different function along with the transporting of resources over wider territories than the orthodox model allowed. Subsistence evidence shows a shift from initial reliance on fur seals to a broader spectrum of smaller marine animals. Furthermore, new palaeobotanical data indicate that plants, in particular kōpi (Corynocarpus laevigatus), were an important component of diet

Agriculture · Archaeology · Art · Biology · Geography · Midden · Period (music · Settlement (finance · Subsistence agriculture · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology · Ecology

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