19. Could this finely carved serpentine bird, found beneath a manuka tree in 1878, be evidence of an ancient migration or trade route long forgotten?

The final artefact in this series is presented:

Archaeological Artefacts

1.6 Serpentine Stone Bird Carving

In 1878, a finely carved stone bird was found beneath the roots of an upturned manuka tree. The location was between Aotea Harbour and Raglan. The bird is comprised of a dark green serpentine stone, weighing 2.1 kg and around 25 cm in length.

Multiple questions arise from the discovery:

1. There is no serpentine stone in New Zealand. The closest outcrops are in Indonesia and China;

   
   

2. The bird is the work of a craftsman using metal tools. Maori in New Zealand or in East Polynesia did not have metal tools nor did they have the skills for manufacturing detailed carvings from stone;

There have been no other carvings resembling this style found in New Zealand.

There is only one conclusion: the stone bird was brought to New Zealand, not produced in New Zealand. But by whom? How? And when?

The options are: (1) by settlers before 1280 AD; (2) by settlers after 1800 AD. The third option is what is believed by the Tainui Iwi. Tainui’s view is that it was brought by their Iwi in their waka when they came to New Zealand. Since it was regarded as a valuable possession, it was buried to prevent raiding tribes from stealing it.

Which archaeological artefacts found in New Zealand have origins that remain uncertain or subject to debate? Can you identify any?

The following Blogs cover Archaeological Features in New Zealand that need to be considered as possible evidence to pre-Polynesian habitation of New Zealand.