Before the Bounty: The Mystery of Norfolk’s Polynesian Past

Walk the beaches of Norfolk Island, and you are stepping on land where human history stretches back over a thousand years – far beyond the arrival of the Bounty mutineers and the establishment of the convict settlements. While those eras are well-known, the island’s first chapter belongs to the East Polynesian seafarers who discovered and inhabited this land centuries before Captain James Cook ever sighted the coastline in 1774.

The Archaeological Evidence

The story of the island’s first inhabitants is an intriguing one, confirmed by archaeological discoveries that have given researchers a profound glimpse into a long-gone era. Evidence suggests that Polynesian seafarers settled on Norfolk Island sometime between the 13th and 15th centuries A.D. These settlers were highly skilled navigators, likely arriving from East Polynesia by way of the Kermadec Islands or the North Island of New Zealand.

Their presence is confirmed by fascinating finds, including stone tools, adze heads, and unique cultural deposits unearthed primarily around the Emily Bay site within the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area (KAVHA). Even the first European settlers noted early evidence of prior habitation, such as bananas growing in Arthur’s Vale and pieces of wrecked canoes. The tools recovered suggest these Polynesians adapted to the environment, using materials like local basalt to craft their implements.

Despite leaving these compelling clues, the first settlement on Norfolk Island remains shrouded in mystery: the Polynesians had completely abandoned the island several centuries before Europeans arrived. The reason for their departure is still unknown, though researchers speculate that the island’s relative isolation and its poor horticultural environment were not favourable for long-term settlement. They simply disappeared, leaving behind a profound historical puzzle that continues to engage archaeologists today.

Norfolk Island: Layers of Living History

Today, Norfolk Island’s history is a rich tapestry that weaves together four distinct periods of human activity. You can explore the ruins of the two brutal convict settlements, the enduring presence of the Pitcairn descendants who arrived in 1856, and, beneath it all, the fascinating traces of the first Polynesian settlers. A visit to the island is a unique chance to experience all these layers of heritage in one place.

The story of Norfolk’s Polynesian past is an intriguing reminder of the island’s complex heritage, proving that its history is deeper, and more mysterious, than the mutineers and convicts alone. It’s a compelling historical puzzle waiting for you to explore. Ready to explore an island with a history spanning over a thousand years? Check out our Norfolk Hot Deals or talk to our friendly South Pacific Specialists today at 1300 991 751!