368
20 Dating the First Migration to New Zealand
Low genetic diversity in New Zealand Maori can be seen as additional supporting
evidence for the long prehistory we claim for New Zealand, for climate-determined
isolation both after 1000 BC and after the descent of the Little Ice Age, for significant population by the beginning of the Medieval Climatic Optimum and massive
depopulation during the Little Ice Age and following European contact. The isolation of New Zealand and of the Chatham Islands created unique prehistories for
their indigenous peoples. Modern demographic analysis brings new clarity, indeed
supplies an entirely new reading of the early prehistory of New Zealand. It is clear
that New Zealand’s demography was climate-driven. Climate was a controlling factor, whether dictating isolation or again making long-distance voyaging feasible,
whether supporting larger populations through horticulture in the Medieval Climatic
Optimum or reducing feasible growing areas in the Little Ice Age and exposing
some of those populations to starvation. One of the major points we make in this
book is that understanding the prehistory, palaeodemography and genetic history
of New Zealand is scarcely possible without appreciating the fundamental role of
climate in shaping all three.
Understanding the early prehistory of the Pacific requires acknowledgment of
the oceanographic base of Spice Island maritime history (following three of the
four major currents flowing out of the West Pacific Warm Pool into colder oceans)
and of its triple maritime focus in exploration, trading and migration. It requires
recognition of the Spice Island origins of first- and/or second-wave migrations to
Madagascar, Japan, New Zealand and Hawaii and contact with America before the
global cold period in 1000 BC and recognition of a Lapita-age first settlement for
New Zealand. Recognition of the long prehistory of New Zealand and the Chatham
Islands confirms our central paradigm. The evidence we have gathered to establish
a Lapita-age first settlement of New Zealand strengthens the fundamental claims
of the book: that first- and second-wave Spice Island migrants established early
settlements on the major uninhabited islands in two oceans that could be reached by
following West Pacific Warm Pool currents and that first- and second-wave Spice
Island explorers and traders followed these currents to their continental limits in
two oceans.
References
1. Flannery T (1995) The future eaters, An ecological history of the Australasian lands and
people. Reed Books, Australia
2. King M (1989) Moriori, a people rediscovered. Penguin Books, Auckland, New Zealand,
p. 50
3. Shand A (1911) The Moriori people of the Chatham Islands. Mem Polyn Soc Vol II.
Government Printer, Wellington, New Zealand, p. 106
4. King M (1989) Moriori, a people rediscovered. Penguin Books, Auckland, New Zealand,
p. 22
5. Goff J, Rouse H, Jones S et al. (2000) Evidence for an earthquake and tsunami about 3100–
3400 years ago, and other catastrophic inundations recorded in a coastal lagoon. NE Mar Geo
171: 233–251; Walter R, Goff J (2003) Assessing tsunami hazard along the New Zealand
coast. Sci Tsunami Hazards 21(3): 137–153, 153
20 Dating the First Migration to New Zealand
Low genetic diversity in New Zealand Maori can be seen as additional supporting
evidence for the long prehistory we claim for New Zealand, for climate-determined
isolation both after 1000 BC and after the descent of the Little Ice Age, for significant population by the beginning of the Medieval Climatic Optimum and massive
depopulation during the Little Ice Age and following European contact. The isolation of New Zealand and of the Chatham Islands created unique prehistories for
their indigenous peoples. Modern demographic analysis brings new clarity, indeed
supplies an entirely new reading of the early prehistory of New Zealand. It is clear
that New Zealand’s demography was climate-driven. Climate was a controlling factor, whether dictating isolation or again making long-distance voyaging feasible,
whether supporting larger populations through horticulture in the Medieval Climatic
Optimum or reducing feasible growing areas in the Little Ice Age and exposing
some of those populations to starvation. One of the major points we make in this
book is that understanding the prehistory, palaeodemography and genetic history
of New Zealand is scarcely possible without appreciating the fundamental role of
climate in shaping all three.
Understanding the early prehistory of the Pacific requires acknowledgment of
the oceanographic base of Spice Island maritime history (following three of the
four major currents flowing out of the West Pacific Warm Pool into colder oceans)
and of its triple maritime focus in exploration, trading and migration. It requires
recognition of the Spice Island origins of first- and/or second-wave migrations to
Madagascar, Japan, New Zealand and Hawaii and contact with America before the
global cold period in 1000 BC and recognition of a Lapita-age first settlement for
New Zealand. Recognition of the long prehistory of New Zealand and the Chatham
Islands confirms our central paradigm. The evidence we have gathered to establish
a Lapita-age first settlement of New Zealand strengthens the fundamental claims
of the book: that first- and second-wave Spice Island migrants established early
settlements on the major uninhabited islands in two oceans that could be reached by
following West Pacific Warm Pool currents and that first- and second-wave Spice
Island explorers and traders followed these currents to their continental limits in
two oceans.
References
1. Flannery T (1995) The future eaters, An ecological history of the Australasian lands and
people. Reed Books, Australia
2. King M (1989) Moriori, a people rediscovered. Penguin Books, Auckland, New Zealand,
p. 50
3. Shand A (1911) The Moriori people of the Chatham Islands. Mem Polyn Soc Vol II.
Government Printer, Wellington, New Zealand, p. 106
4. King M (1989) Moriori, a people rediscovered. Penguin Books, Auckland, New Zealand,
p. 22
5. Goff J, Rouse H, Jones S et al. (2000) Evidence for an earthquake and tsunami about 3100–
3400 years ago, and other catastrophic inundations recorded in a coastal lagoon. NE Mar Geo
171: 233–251; Walter R, Goff J (2003) Assessing tsunami hazard along the New Zealand
coast. Sci Tsunami Hazards 21(3): 137–153, 153