Tahuata's Treasures
Treasures of Tahuata
These “treasures” of Tahuata represent some of the finest and best-preserved archaeological artifacts of the ancient Marquesans. Unless otherwise noted, all objects below were found during excavations at Hanamiai and loaned by the family of Naani Barsinas and the town of Tahuata.
At left, bone tattoo needle preform, found at Hanamiai in 2012. Above, a replica carved from cow bone and rose wood, carved by Teiki Barsinas.
Difficult to obtain and higly prized, whale and porpoise teeth were worn as ornaments by many Polynesian peoples.
Poi pounders
Conch shell (putupe) trumpet
Chisels used for cutting
Vegetable peelers
Pendants and Buttons
In addition to using feather, hair and flowers for decoration, Marquesans crafted a variety of fine jewelry and ornaments from shell and bone.
A false whale bone pendant made from shell (left) and a carved bone ornament (right).
Buttons made from pear shell (2, 4, 7, 9); bronze (3); and bone (1, 5, 6, 8, 10).
Ear plugs
Discovered at Hanamiai and Vaitahu and loaned by Teiki Barsinas.
Woman’s ear plugs (pu’u taiana) made of whale tooth and coral. At right, replica ear piercer carved from turtle shell by Teiki Barsinas.
Adzes and adze exchange
Adzes were the main woodcarving tools in ancient Polynesia, used for making canoes and all types of wooden items.
In ancient times, high quality stone for making adzes was widely exchanged in Polynesia through voyaging networks.
Adze polishing stone found at Hanamiai. Discovered over 3 meters below the surfacce, it is about 700 years old. (acc. 2929)
Grinding Stones
Three grinding stones for polishing and sharpening adzes, and stone cups for preparing ink or medicine. Stones like these are often found together with house platforms (paeopae) where people were living and working. Discovered at Koe’ema’a, Vaitahu and loaned Tohuhu Burns (left); discovered at Hanamiai and loaned by Hio Timau (middle); and discovered at Te’aupao, Vaitahu and loaned by Manuhi Bruno Timau (right).
