A molecular study of a rare Maori cloak

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Author(s)
Hartnunup, Katie
Huynen, Leon
Kanawa, Rangi
Shepherd, Lara
Millar, Craig
Lambert, David
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2009
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Kakahu or Maori cloaks are taonga (treasures) and are iconic expressions of Maori culture. Unfortunately much of the original information relating to the 'origins of the cloaks' has been lost. We present mitochondrial 12S sequence data from feathers sampled from a rare cloak that appeared to have been adorned with feathers from New Zealand moa. These species belonged to the ratite group of birds and have been extinct since soon after human arrival in New Zealand. Using microscopic amounts of feather tissues from this cloak, we have been able to show that this garment was actually adorned with Australian emu feathers. ...
View more >Kakahu or Maori cloaks are taonga (treasures) and are iconic expressions of Maori culture. Unfortunately much of the original information relating to the 'origins of the cloaks' has been lost. We present mitochondrial 12S sequence data from feathers sampled from a rare cloak that appeared to have been adorned with feathers from New Zealand moa. These species belonged to the ratite group of birds and have been extinct since soon after human arrival in New Zealand. Using microscopic amounts of feather tissues from this cloak, we have been able to show that this garment was actually adorned with Australian emu feathers. At the likely time of construction of the cloak, the then Governor of New Zealand, George Grey, kept emu on Kawau Island in the Hauraki Gulf. It seems probable that the remains of these individuals were the source of the feathers used, although we are not able to exclude the possibility that Maori obtained them as a result of early trading with Australia. To our knowledge this study is the first to use genetic techniques to identify the species of bird used in feather adorned Maori cloaks and illustrates the potential for molecular techniques to provide important information about these taonga.
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View more >Kakahu or Maori cloaks are taonga (treasures) and are iconic expressions of Maori culture. Unfortunately much of the original information relating to the 'origins of the cloaks' has been lost. We present mitochondrial 12S sequence data from feathers sampled from a rare cloak that appeared to have been adorned with feathers from New Zealand moa. These species belonged to the ratite group of birds and have been extinct since soon after human arrival in New Zealand. Using microscopic amounts of feather tissues from this cloak, we have been able to show that this garment was actually adorned with Australian emu feathers. At the likely time of construction of the cloak, the then Governor of New Zealand, George Grey, kept emu on Kawau Island in the Hauraki Gulf. It seems probable that the remains of these individuals were the source of the feathers used, although we are not able to exclude the possibility that Maori obtained them as a result of early trading with Australia. To our knowledge this study is the first to use genetic techniques to identify the species of bird used in feather adorned Maori cloaks and illustrates the potential for molecular techniques to provide important information about these taonga.
View less >
Book Title
Archaeological Science Under a Microscope: studies in residue and ancient DNA analysis in honour of Thomas H. Loy
Volume
30
Publisher URI
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2009. This is the author-manuscript version of the book. It is posted here with permission of the copyright owners for your personal use only.The authors grant exclusive rights to ANU E Press for the electronic distribution of this book. You are free to read, copy, download, print and display the work solely for personal use or use within your organisation. Under the following conditions: a) Attribution: You must provide appropriate acknowledgment to the original copyright owner b) Noncommercial Use: The texts and images may not be used for any commercial purpose without permission from ANU E Press; The texts and images are not to be mounted on any other server for public or commercial access without permission from ANU E Press; Links to these materials may be made, subject to these conditions of use c) Derivative Works: You may not alter, transform or build upon this work.
Subject
Social and cultural anthropology