Māori society development timeline clarified by new research

New archaeological research has provided a more precise timeline for the development of early Māori society in Aotearoa New Zealand. By utilizing high-precision radiocarbon dating and detailed evidence from two specific sites, researchers have identified that certain economic shifts occurred earlier than previously understood.

Historically, archaeologists categorized early Māori history into three phases: an initial settlement and hunting period (approximately 1250 to 1400), a poorly understood transitional period, and the emergence of classic Māori society around 1600, characterized by fortified settlements and intensive food production.

The new study addresses previous difficulties in dating, such as atmospheric radiocarbon fluctuations between 1290 and 1400 and between 1480 and 1640, which had previously made it difficult to pinpoint exact occupation dates and the speed of societal evolution.