Abstract
Archaeological cordage artefacts represent more than simple fibre objects, they hold a complex story of technological innovation, cultural continuity and shared relationships. This research investigates archaeological cordage technologies from Pātaka o Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula, Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, identifying both functional and culturally significant taonga that embody connections between people, plants and culture. The study addresses critical gaps in Māori archaeological cordage research, including the predominant European perspective of publications, and the lack of experienced weaving practitioners in archaeological cordage investigations. A comprehensive chaîne opératoire built by integrating customary knowledge, personal practitioner experience and Māori terminology demonstrated the framework’s value beyond lithic studies for understanding complex manufacturing sequences of cordage and items made from cordage.
The research demonstrates that many techniques align with established ethnographic records, customary knowledge and oral traditions, while some reflect ancestral Polynesian techniques. The findings reveal sophisticated cordage technologies reflecting cultural and manufacturing techniques shared with their ancestors, and with each other, alongside individual maker variations. While many taonga reflect utilitarian functions, others represent aesthetic sophistication and cultural significance, highlighting the complex knowledge systems that enabled weavers to produce cordage and cordage made taonga that were simultaneously practical, aesthetically pleasing and culturally meaningful. Of significance were twist direction patterns, which were revealed to be a more complex cultural characteristic than previously understood.
This research represents a significant advancement in Māori archaeological textile analysis through its holistic approach incorporating indigenous customary knowledge and skilled practitioner insights. Archaeological cordage fragments provide more than quantitative data, they are a tangible lens through which to understand the intricate relationship between people, material culture, technological innovation and cultural practices.