Prehistoric two‐way voyaging between New Zealand and East Polynesia: Mayor Island obsidian on Raoul Island, and possible Raoul Island obsidian in New Zealand

Abstract

AbstractSix prehistoric flakes of obsidian were analysed by X‐Ray fluorescence. Four flakes, from Raoul Island in the Kermadec Group, are identical to obsidian from Mayor Island, New Zealand. The four flakes, from a Polynesian settlement site between 450 and 640 years old, provide the first clear demonstration that Polynesians who had reached New Zealand had, as Maori tradition records, some success in return voyaging. The two other flakes, from two Archaic sites in the South Island, New Zealand, are similar, but not identical to obsidian from Raoul Island. A Raoul Island source for the two flakes would imply either a second New Zealand landfall by voyaging Polynesians, or a return voyage by Maori from New Zealand.