The Pre‐European Utilisation of Lithic Resources in Aotearoa New Zealand

A wide variety of lithic materials was utilised by the indigenous Māori population of Aotearoa, New Zealand, from the time of initial settlement in the mid to late 13 th century. During the early period (c. AD 1250–1500), finished stone tools and/or raw materials were transferred between neighbouring regions, in addition to long‐distance dispersal of more highly valued lithics (e.g., obsidian, meta‐argillite). By the late period (c. AD 1500–1800), use of many of the early adze materials (e.g., basalt, meta‐argillite) had ceased or markedly declined, in favour of other lithologies such as greywacke and nephrite (pounamu). Exchange networks also appear to have become more restricted. To facilitate a better understanding of the overall pre‐European utilisation of stone resources in the country, eight lithic provinces are proposed. Each contains significant sources of one or more lithic materials, and all include suitable rock types for the manufacture of adzes. The archaeological distribution of some adze materials, the types of materials that were exchanged, and important temporal changes in the use of stone resources are also reviewed.