THE KON-TIKI ARGUMENT
Sir,-This is my final letter in this discussion. I pointed out that "Viracocha" had erred in stating the Polynesians had no bow. He admitted his error, and now claims that in doing so he has won the argument by default. Queer logic! He has not replied to my statements regarding the Maori having access to big timber before coming to New Zealand. Perhaps he has no answer. . No carving in wood that we can prove is Moa-hunter work is known, but a few carved pieces haVe béen found in
drains and swamps that are very unlike Fleet Maori work, and equally unlike British Columbian carving. Contrary to "Viracocha’s" belief, the Moa-hunter artifacts in bone and stone, of which I have seen and handled a considerable number, bear no special resemblance to British Columbian work. Many artifacts, such as fish-hooks, found in various parts of the world, show a superficial resemblance, owing to the simple forms and the nature of the material, but differ widely in important details, e.g., Moa-hunter and Chilian fish-hooks look alike at first glance, but differ very much in the method of fastening the hook to the shank, which is important, because of the conservatism of privitive peoples on. such details, ‘ I refer "Viracocha" to the review by Dr. H. D. Skinner of Mr. Heyerdahl’s book, in the latest Landfall, If, after reading it, he is still an adherent of the American-Polynesian hypothesis, I think it is unlikely that anyone will change his ("Viracocha’s") beliefs on the matter.
DOODLEBUG
(Christchurch).
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 28, Issue 722, 15 May 1953, Page 5
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256THE KON-TIKI ARGUMENT New Zealand Listener, Volume 28, Issue 722, 15 May 1953, Page 5
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