Rock Art Research

Vol. 20 No. 2 (2003)
DOI : https://doi.org/10.56801/rar.v20i2.443
Published : Nov 7, 2003

TE ANA A NUNUKU: RE-VIEWING A MORIORI PETROGLYPH SITE IN REKOHU (THE CHATHAM ISLANDS), NEW ZEALAND

Eric Kjellgren (1)

(1) Oceanic Art, Department of the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, United States
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Abstract

This paper examines the imagery and interpretations of the rock art of the Moriori people of Rekohu (the Chatham Islands). It briefly surveys what is known about the distribution, imagery and extent of Moriori petroglyph sites and goes on to compare Moriori rock art with other Polynesian traditions. The essay then concentrates specifically on the history of the interpretations of the petroglyphs at Te Ana a Nunuku, the most extensive Moriori rock art site. It concludes that, while the images may represent a flock of birds, and possibly depict a Moriori duck hunt, any definitive interpretation remains problematical.