Abstract
In Aotearoa New Zealand, pounamu (jade) remains the most significant taonga (treasure) for Māori, embodying mana (prestige), tradition and spirituality. During the late 19th century, a substantial number of pounamu artefacts were fossicked from archaeological sites, resulting in the loss of their original context and disconnection from the people who crafted them. In coastal Otago, no subsequent archaeological excavations have been conducted to provide a secure archaeological context or a chronological dataset for pounamu production.
Archaeologists have suggested that during the early period (1300-1450 AD), pounamu was initially produced in limited quantities using percussion techniques inherited from Polynesian traditions. In contrast, during the later period (1650-1769 AD), pounamu production is argued to have increased significantly, possibly because of the introduction of sawing methods. In this later phase of lithic practices, archaeological studies assumed that fine raw materials and skilled reduction techniques were discontinued. The increased availability of pounamu is also interpreted as having sociocultural significance that emerged over time. The primary stimulus for this change has been attributed to the introduction of sawing, which is considered a technical innovation in lithic production. From this perspective, pounamu replaced meta-argillite or obsidian in the production of prestige goods in Te Waipounamu (the South Island). Sawing is thus regarded as a proxy for late, specialised lithic manufacture, solely embodied by pounamu. However, studies clarifying the specific techniques employed in the manufacture of pounamu and the timeline of its implementation are lacking. This project was guided by the following question: When and how was specialised technology for pounamu manufacture developed in Te Wai Pounamu?
This study aims to clarify the chronology, context and nature of pounamu manufacture using a framework inspired by the anthropology of techniques and craft theory. It reconstructs chaînes opératoires and techniques by examining surface traces on archaeological artefacts and comparing them with replicated data obtained through experimental methods. This project also aims to clarify the social context of pounamu manufacture by reviewing documented archaeological sites and conducting excavations at the Whareakeake site. It analyses both existing and newly acquired radiocarbon data to reassess the chronology of pounamu manufacture. Furthermore, the project attempts to reconnect museum artefacts with their original archaeological contexts.