Science & Technology, Australia (Commonwealth Union) – Archaeologist Associate Professor James Flexner from the University of Sydney, along with his team and local community members, recently returned from a dig in French Polynesia. They uncovered relics from the country’s missionary past during their fieldwork in the Îles Gambier (Mangareva Islands) in October and November. Working closely with local cultural association Te Ana Pouga Magareva, the team focused on sites on the islands of Aukena and Akamaru. This included priests’ houses attached to the oldest church in the country, St Raphaël (constructed in 1837), as well as at a boys’ school and at another priest’s house on the island of Akamaru. The team’s efforts yielded over 1,500 objects in 19 test pits excavated at six different sites. This discovery provides valuable insights into the everyday life of French Polynesians in the 19th century. The recovered artifacts offer a glimpse into the daily routines, customs, and beliefs of the people living in this era. The archaeological finds will contribute to a better understanding of French Polynesia’s rich history and culture.
Many artifacts discovered were linked to daily life, such as ceramic plates and bowls, bottles holding perfume, medicine, and alcohol, and remnants of past meals, including fish and bird bones, and shellfish.
In the realm of fieldwork, discoveries, and community engagement, a significant collection was unearthed from the priests’ residence at the Church of Notre Dame de la Païx in Akamaru. The site yielded a wealth of glass fragments, equivalent to numerous bottles of gin, champagne, and wine. Additionally, imported perfume and medicine from France, Britain, and the Netherlands were identified among the findings.
A particularly noteworthy discovery was the presence of hundreds of intact and broken pearl shells, primarily from the Pinctada genus. These shells were cultivated and crafted into various items like buttons and decorative inlays, providing insights into the island’s historical pearl shell industry.
Researchers of the study indicated that not all findings were quotidian. “Sometimes you find individual things that tell an amazing and immediate story,” explained the Associate Professor Flexner, from the School of Humanities. In this instance he was pointing out to a 1cm bronze crucifix, seen at a boys’ school at Aukena. “This would have been something very personal –the boy would have worn it every day on his body.”
The most captivating discovery emerged from a trench at the boys’ school, revealing an intriguing combination: beneath an iron axe head nestled in a hole lay three intact pearl shells.
Traditionally utilized in French Polynesia for purposes such as fishing lures, tattooing needles, pendants, and figurines, pearl shells became a significant commodity by the 1840s, harvested in abundance and distributed globally. In the missionary context of Mangareva, Polynesian locals actively contributed by cultivating and processing vast quantities of these prized shells to support the missionary endeavor.
According to Associate Professor Flexner, the buried mollusks serve as tangible evidence of hands-on learning experiences. It is postulated that these shells were employed by the missionaries to instruct local boys in the complete process—from cultivating the animal to harvesting it and processing the shell for export.
Looking ahead, the team plans to conduct two additional excavation seasons on the islands of Mangareva, Akamaru, and Aukena in the coming year. The promising discoveries at these sites have piqued their interest, prompting anticipation of uncovering more hidden treasures beneath the mission buildings. Concurrently, efforts are underway to digitally repatriate documents related to Mangareva from the Royal Geographical Society in London.
“Ultimately, the project is a partnership with individuals and groups in the Mangarevan islands,” added Associate Professor Flexner. “It’s about helping the community understand its own past to inform its present.”
