An Exploratory and Integrative Study of Maori Kuri (Canis familiaris) at the NRD Archaeological Site in Aotearoa New Zealand

This multidisciplinary study analyzes kuri skeletal remains from the Northern Runway Development (NRD) archaeologi-cal site (AD 1400-1800) to develop an 'osteo-history' and help us better understand 1) human-dog interactions; 2) the role kuri played in early Maori societies; and 3) to potentially use kuri as a proxy for human behavior at the site. We combine dental analysis with stable isotope analyses of bone and tooth dentine to investigate the kuri diet. Additionally, we use strontium isotope and mitogenomic analyses to explore the migration histories of the kuri and, by proxy, the humans they lived among at the NRD site during the late pre-contact period in Aotearoa. Through our exploratory investigation of the kuri skeletal remains, we found evidence of extensive interaction spheres with nearby and potentially distant communities. Furthermore, the kuri were healthy, demonstrated minimal tooth wear, and they subsisted heavily on a protein-rich, marine diet. This study demonstrates that variability is present in the origins, diet, health, and treatment of kuri at a single locality.