ABSTRACT

Consideration of the sizes and dimensions of kumara storage pits from six excavations in the northern North Island of New Zealand has enabled the recognition that within the assemblage are some pits which stand out from the ordinary, through being either unusually long in relation to their width, or large, or both. Long pits in particular are not part of the archaeological landscape of open pits in the region. The excavated examples are typically within settlements and have been re-filled after use. The reasons for these extravagances are examined and it is proposed that the pits were built this way to display a wealth of food. Long pits appear to have been a form which characterised the 16th century and possibly a little broader span, but were not built until the end of prehistory. They may have been replaced by other forms of displaying food wealth. Links to historically recorded displays of food are suggested.

Keywords: NEW ZEALAND, NORTH ISLAND, MAORI, STORAGE PITS, KUMARA.

For full paper see New Zealand Journal of Archaeology, forthcoming.