46: The Lunate Pendants
Many unusual artifacts that defy explanation have been found around NZ. The Okehu tribrach, The Kaiatia carving, The Korotangi, the objects from Waverley and various rock inscriptions, and the lunate pendants. There are only two lunate pendants that are known in NZ. Both are in the bottom of the South Island in original Waitaha territory who had mingled with the Kahui Tipua.
On Ruapuke Island in Foveaux Straight an unusual pounamu lunate pendant was discovered on the northern tip of the island in 1974 at site #37. This was after the archaeological dig in 1972 (makes you wonder how they missed it?). This translucent pendant has notched edges like items from the far north. Of course Ruapuke Island is in the extreme south.
There is no clue of the symbolic or ritual nature although it points to Waitaha and is very unlikely to be Kati Mamoe. It is possible it was cut to look like a tropical fish but a more logical explanation is that the first hole wore through and a second one was drilled. The notching on the leading edge is consistent with pre-Maori artifacts further north. It is likely an ear or neck. The V shaped notches are different from the second item below in that these are sharper.
The second one was also found in the far south. This was recovered somewhere between Riverton and the Waiau River on the coast and came to the attention of archaeologists in 1954 but as to exactly where and when it was found, no one knows. It too has notching but reveals a certain amount of wear consistent with permanent use of carry on the person, either around the neck or from the ear.
Unfortunately, there is no available photo of this second pendant. What is certain is they are from the same group that existed in the south in shape, form, notching, placement of hole and approximate location. Also worth noting is it is unlike anything from Polynesia that is known so is likely a from of design used by those before Maori including Waitaha and is acknowledged therefore as unique to Waitaha or those living with them.
The only other similar form of lunate pendant is from New Guinea where they used shell.
