A coastal excavation in the Otago region of New Zealand's South Island has unearthed a cache of expertly carved whale-bone pendants. The artifacts were found in a layer associated with early Polynesian settlement, adjacent to a large communal cooking area. Researchers argue that the concentration of these rei puta (whale-tail) pendants suggests a formal site for maritime festivals celebrating the first catch of the season.
The site also contained evidence of specialized stone ovens used for slow-cooking sea mammals and large fish, which parallels the traditions of Matariki and other seasonal gatherings. This discovery highlights the deep spiritual connection the early Maori people maintained with the ocean, expressed through formal artistic and culinary rituals.