Recent archaeological findings have unearthed evidence of American sweet potato starch granules at an early site in Aotearoa/New Zealand's South Island, shedding light on the crop's role in the Polynesian colonization of cooler climate South Pacific islands. The sweet potato, deeply rooted in Polynesian oral traditions and linked to the Māori god of agriculture and peace, ranks as the fifth most important food crop globally. Despite its significance, the origins and spread of the sweet potato across Oceania remain poorly understood, with theories ranging from natural dispersal to human-mediated introduction.
Professor Ian G. Barber and Rebecca Waikuini Benham from Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga conducted radiocarbon dating of starch granules from Polynesian crops at a multi-period Māori cultivation site at Triangle Flat, northwestern Te Waipounamu. Their research, published in Antiquity, indicates that kūmara was cultivated as early as AD 1290-1385, alongside other Asia-Pacific crops like taro and yam. This provides the earliest evidence of kūmara cultivation in Te Waipounamu, aligning with the initial colonization period of Polynesia's southernmost islands.
The study suggests that the American sweet potato's resilience and adaptability were crucial in supporting early settlements in the Pacific's cooler regions, including Rapa Nui/Easter Island. Professor Barber highlights the potential of these findings to inform modern agricultural practices, particularly in enhancing crop resilience amid climate change and environmental challenges.
Source: Medievalists