Re: bark cloth (Re: Polynesian canoes

From: benlizross (benlizro_at_ihug.co.nz)
Date: 07/26/04 

Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2004 20:31:29 +1200

Yuri Kuchinsky wrote:
>
> benlizross wrote:
> >
> > Yuri Kuchinsky wrote:
> > >
> > > "t(nospam)kavanagh" wrote:
> > >
> > > ...
> > >
> > > > And finally, a little later in that same paragraph that Yuri is wont to
> > > > quote, Niblack concludes "... yet the resemblances and similarities are
> > > > as likely to have arisen from the like tendencies of the human mind
> > > > under the same external conditions, or environment, to develop along
> > > > parallel lines as through contact or common origin."
> > > >
> > > > tk
> > >
> > > There are 2 separate issues here.
> > >
> > > 1. Were these cloaks similar in appearance?
> > > 2. How to explain this similarity.
> > >
> > > Niblack testimony re #1 is important. His attempt to address
> > > #2 is open to debate.
> >
> > In other words, Niblack can be absolutely relied upon as an observer of
> > similarity, but his explanation of the similarity is "open to debate"
> > because he doesn't come up with the answer you want?!
>
> Putting words into my mouth...

Perfectly straightforward paraphrase of what you said.

>
> > I draw your attention again to this quote from you:
> >
> > >W Coast weaving techniques are very similar to NZ since the
> > >materials used in the two areas provide parallel fibers.
> > >Hence "finger-weaving" was required.
> >
> > >That is why Captain Cook noted that the finger weaving
> > >techniques were so similar in Canada and in New Zealand.
> >
> > in which you provide your own functional explanation of the similarity
> > noted by Cook.
>
> So what?

Do you really not understand the logic of these comparisons you keep
making? If the similarities arise through common responses to the same
environmental and functional needs, they are not evidence of a specific
historical connection.
 
> > You seem to be so biased in favour of a diffusionist explanation that
> > you will ignore even what your own sources say.
>
> Huh???
>
> Down with Diffusionism!
>
> > Why are we still wasting time on this item?
> >
> > Ross Clark
>
> Nobody is asking you to waste any of your valuable time on
> anything. You can go along and play somewhere else...
>
> Instead of engaging in your misrepresentations and personal
> attacks.

So why are _you_ still wasting time with this item when you have refuted
it yourself?

Ross Clark