Ancient Polynesia

A sub-region of Oceana that consisted of thousands of Pacific islands inhabited by peoples in branching groups or tribes with very similar cultural traits. c. 1600-1800 (European modernization)  

http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_47_1938/Memoirs/No._15._The_Oldman_collection_of_Polynesian_artifacts,_p_37-46/p1 Decorative drum bases. Detail and intricacy suggests high importance and significance of rituals within groups.

 

 

http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_47_1938/Memoirs/No._15._The_Oldman_collection_of_Polynesian_artifacts,_p_37-46/p1 Sacred "Whisks".

http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_47_1938/Memoirs/No._15._The_Oldman_collection_of_Polynesian_artifacts,_p_37-46/p1 Chief necklaces and other ornaments. Evidence of endowment and blatantly appropriated leadership.

 

 

http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_47_1938/Memoirs/No._15._The_Oldman_collection_of_Polynesian_artifacts,_p_37-46/p1 Bird perches. Very decorative. Suggests non-predatory human-animal interaction.

http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_47_1938/Memoirs/No._15._The_Oldman_collection_of_Polynesian_artifacts,_p_37-46/p1 Ornate canoe figure head. Art taking hold in practical technologies.

 

 

http://norfolkislandwildthings.blogspot.com/2011/01/visiting-ships.html Pestles. Signs of varying ways of preparing, manipulating, and consuming food stuffs.

http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_47_1938/Memoirs/No._15._The_Oldman_collection_of_Polynesian_artifacts,_p_37-46/p1 Deity and goddess figurines. Evidence of polytheism. 

 

 

http://norfolkislandwildthings.blogspot.com/2011/01/visiting-ships.html Crude tools forged from Earth. Early manipulation of available resources.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/72569889.html Found in Hawaii, though bound with leather from hides of animals on other distant Pacific islands. Maritime exchange and interaction.

 

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/4834146778/ Ceremonial dance costumes. We see development of religious PRACTICE that began to accompany what was only belief and inorganic artistic expression.