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Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand abstractsAnalysis of plant microfossils in prehistoric coprolites from Harataonga Bay, Great Barrier Island, New ZealandM. Horrocks, M. D. JonesCentre for Archaeological Research, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92 019, Auckland, New Zealand.R. E. BeeverLandcare Research, Private Bag 92 170, Auckland, New Zealand.D. G. SuttonCentre for Archaeological Research, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92 019, Auckland, New Zealand.Abstract We show results of palynological and phytolith analysis of coprolites from Harataonga Bay, Great Barrier Island. Because human and dog diets may overlap considerably, the microfossil evidence does not with certainty indicate which of these two species deposited them. The coprolites give insights into prehistoric Maori agriculture, gathering of wild plants, diet, and time of year of site occupation. Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) pollen found in the coprolites shows that this exotic cultigen was being cultivated in the area at the time. The presence of this taxon together with putative truffle spores in the coprolites suggests subsistence components involving both plant domestication and the gathering of wild plants. Keywords coprolites; palynology; phytoliths; gourd (Lagenaria siceraria); truffles; New Zealand R02002 Received 11 February 2002; accepted 23 July 2002; published 26 November 2002
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