Father-Son Duo Uncovers Ancient Polynesian Canoe Treasure

Quick Smiles:

• A father and son stumble upon a significant archaeological find on New Zealand’s Chatham Islands.
• The discovery includes a well-preserved Polynesian canoe, complete with sails and rigging.
• Local community involvement played a crucial role in the excavation and preservation efforts.

On the picturesque shores of New Zealand’s Chatham Islands, a father and son duo uncovered a piece of history that promises to reshape our understanding of Polynesian exploration.

While taking their dogs for a run after a heavy rain, Vincent Dix and his son Nikau noticed peculiar pieces of timber along the riverbank.

“My son and I were just loading the boat up and taking the dogs for a run up the beach… just after a big rain,” Vincent shared.

The wood, featuring unusual holes and remarkably well-preserved, piqued their curiosity.

As they pieced together the fragments, it became clear they had stumbled upon something extraordinary.

This discovery is not just any find but a complete Polynesian waka, a type of canoe used by the indigenous Moriori people of the Chatham Islands.

Such finds are rare, often consisting only of fragments, making this one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in Polynesian history.

Justin Maxwell, the archaeologist leading the investigation, expressed his amazement: “Before we started this project, the holy grail would have been to find some of the sail, or some of the twine that held things together, or some of the rope or the corking.”

He continued, “We found all of that. It’s completely blown our minds.”

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage of New Zealand highlighted the vital role of the local community in the excavation process.

“The local community were instrumental in leading the on-island support during the excavation,” a statement from the Ministry read.

Community members provided cultural insights, meals, and even gained new skills through their involvement.

While the dating of the wood remains pending, some pieces are believed to have originated from mainland New Zealand.

This suggests a remarkable journey across hundreds of miles, showcasing the seafaring prowess of the Polynesians.

One unique aspect of this waka is its construction from individual boards, contrasting with previous finds that suggested the use of a single tree.

This discovery offers new insights into Polynesian waka technology and their incredible maritime achievements.

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