Reconnecting communities and cetaceans using Mātauranga Māori and archaeological science
The relationship between Oceanic peoples and cetaceans (whales and dolphins) is a sacred and significant one that has persisted throughout history. This project will examine the changing use, abundance, and diversity of cetaceans from the first arrival of people to Aotearoa New Zealand to the present using a unique combination of mātauranga Māori, archaeology, and archaeological science to create an understanding of human-cetacean relationships in Aotearoa.
Project Team: Dr Amber Aranui, Dr Monica Tromp, Dr Alana Alexander, Professor C. Scott Baker, Dr Karen Greig, Dr Kristine Richter, Dr Ashley Scott, Dr Camilla Speller, Dr Christina Warinner
Partners: Southern Pacific Archaeological Research, University of Otago, Harvard University, University of British Columbia, Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University
Funding: Marsden Fund Council from Government funding, administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand.
Project Description: The relationship between Oceanic peoples and cetaceans (whales and dolphins) is a sacred one that has persisted for centuries. These relationships are culturally significant and expressed in whakapapa and pūrākau. Despite this, we know very little about human interactions with cetaceans in the past in Aotearoa.
Cetaceans include the largest animals on earth, but they are largely invisible in the archaeological record as their size prevents the transport of whole and/or diagnostic bones. Additionally, processes of colonialism have severed people from mātauranga ngā ika moana.
This research will use mātauranga Māori and the bimolecular methods ZooMS (zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry) and ancient DNA to analyse archaeological taonga and bone fragments from unknown cetacean species. The development of minimally invasive or non-destructive sampling techniques allows us to use biomolecular methods to examine taonga in a culturally appropriate manner without causing visible damage to or affecting the mana of precious objects.
Our team of expert consultants from mana whenua, biomolecular archaeologists, museum specialists, and marine conservationists will examine the changing relationship, use, abundance, and diversity of cetaceans from the first arrival of people to Aotearoa to the present.
Primary Outputs:
Examine the use and diversity of cetaceans in the past in Aotearoa New Zealand using a unique combination of mātauranga Māori and archaeological science to create new understandings of human-cetacean relationships through time.
Highlight the importance of indigenous knowledge and innovation.
Develop culturally appropriate sampling techniques.
Better understand how cetacean populations have changed through time.
Dr Monica Tromp and Dr Amber Aranui working with whale bone taonga. Photo by Sidney Banach
