Marine archaeologists exploring a submerged lava tube off the Kona Coast of Hawaii have discovered a cache of incredibly well-preserved ritual spears tipped with tiger shark teeth. The spears, dated via radiocarbon testing to the 1300s, were found alongside basalt offering bowls and evidence of kava residue. Experts believe these items were deposited as part of an early iteration of the Makahiki festival, a four-month-long season dedicated to the god Lono and the cessation of war.
The presence of these spears in a maritime context suggests that the ancient festival involved significant naval processions and underwater offerings that were previously unknown to historians. This find reinforces the sacred connection between land and sea in Hawaiian heritage, proving that the ritual framework for the Makahiki was firmly established centuries before European contact. The artifacts are currently undergoing specialized desalination treatments to preserve the organic wood and shark-tooth bindings.