ARCHAELOGICAL SITES One In Three May Be In 50yr Period

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30676, 16 February 1965, Page 12

ARCHAELOGICAL SITES One In Three May Be In 50yr Period

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 15. It was possible that one archaeological site in three in New Zealand dated from the 50-year period from 1770 to 1820, said Mr L. M. Groube, of the University of Otago, at the Science Congress today.

The figure was based on hypothetical calculations of population growth over a 1000-year period to 1800 A.D. The separation of the cultures of pre-European and post-European periods, which occupied an important part of archaeologists’ time, placed increasing importance on the accounts of early travellers. It was regrettable that some of the accounts h.-d been lost. Research into the journals of early observers like Cook had, however, been undertaken by scholars and much early confusion caused by inaccurate unofficial publications had been cleared away, he said. Mr Groube said the classic Maori culture was a develop-

ment of eastern Polynesian culture, traceable in language, mythology and some phases of material culture. It was significant that the most spectacular items of classic Maori culture did not have exact prototypes in eastern Polynesia. These distinctly Maori features were the tiki ornament, the pataka-type of raised storehouse and the carved meeting-house which was both place of assembly and “village hotel.” Much of this culture, especially the wooden items like carving, did not survive in many archaeological sites, so the descriptions of the early travellers were most important if a proper picture of prehistoric classic Maori culture was to be obtained.