Bone, Moa, Pelvis; Pre 1450; RI.0000.272
Bone, Moa, Pelvis
About this object
A large moa pelvis, the species is not known.
Moa were the largest terrestrial animals to inhabit New Zealand's forests and shrublands. There were nine distinct species of moa and they ranged drastically in size with the smallest - the bush moa - being roughly the size of a turkey, and the largest - the giant moa - reaching up to 3.6 metres tall.
Moa were a staple in the diets of Māori in South Canterbury, Otago, and Southland and were hunted in great numbers. While it is unknown how exactly Māori hunted these giant birds, we do know that overhunting was one of the factors that led to the extinction of the moa in around 1450.
This pelvis may have been found at Pukorokio or Moa Creek. Located just across the estuary from the current museum, Pukorokio originates in the Longwoods and feeds into the Pourakino River between Centre Road and the Narrows. Pukorokio is recorded as the place where the last moa in Murihiku, Southland were slain.
Pre 1450
Place Made Medium and Materialsorganic, animal, bone, bird bone, moa bone
Inscription and MarksNil
Measurements
l 370 mm x w 200 mm x d 140 mm
Measurements taken at widest points.
RI.0000.272
Rights
Attribution - Non-commercial (cc)
Add Comments
Disclaimer/Re-use of images:
It is the sole responsibility of the contributing museum to supply accurate information, and to organise copyright clearance (if necessary) for any image that appears on NZ Museums. Before any re-use of images, permission must be obtained from the contributing museum. Please contact the contributing museum if you have concerns about the information or images or would like to find out more about using and ordering an image.
This website is a National Services Te Paerangi initiative
