Shaped volcanic stone blocks found in Southland and Otago are believed to have come from Mehetia, an uninhabited volcanic island east of Tahiti. PHOTO: SUPPLIEDScientific analysis of shaped stone blocks found at Tautuku in South Otago, the Catlins and Stewart Island is shedding new light on early Maori settlers, and suggests voyaging links with Tahiti. It is believed the blocks were from Mehetia, an uninhabited volcanic island, about 110km east of Tahiti. The three South Island blocks had been found at different times over nearly 50 years - two having been excavated from archaeological sites also containing east Polynesian-style artefacts and remains of extinct moa. They were keen to see if more scoria blocks were identified as a result of publicising the work of Dr Ramsay and his associates.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 04, 2019 15:33 UTC