TONGAN POTS EXCAVATED

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31316, 11 March 1967, Page 3

TONGAN POTS EXCAVATED

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Mar. 10.

The work of a New Zealand archaeological expedition in Tonga could break important new ground in the study of early Polynesian culture, said the leader of the expedition, Mr L. M. Groube, who returned to Auckland this week. Mr Groube, who is a lecturer in pre-history in the de-

partment of anthropology at the University of Auckland, spent two months excavating a Bite at Ha’Ateiko, near Nuku-Alofa, in Tongatapu. The expedition was financed by the National Science Foundation of the United States, and administered by Bishop University in Hawaii. Mr, Groube said today that an enormous amount of pottery, totalling about 22,000 pieces, was recovered from the site.

The sherds (pieces of pottery) were recovered using a very detailed method of excavation which recorded the exact site of each sherd.

The main success of the expedition would depend on the putting together of whole pots —something that had not been achieved previously.

Because of the detailed recordings of the exact site of each sherd, there was a good chance of putting together about eight complete pots from the pieces recovered, said Mr Groube. Twelve students from Otago University worked with the expedition in the first month, and were followed by seven students from the Universiy of Auckland in the second month. A Tongan work force of

eight was employed at the site.

Mr Groube said that Tonga was the only place where early Polynesian decorated pottery had' been found. Pottery was a well developed art among Polynesians before the birth of Christ The expedition had enjoyed excellent co-operation from both the Government and people of Tonga; at times there were 500 pieces of pottery being recorded each day.

Mr Groube said he was anxious to return to the diggings. He would do so as soon as finance could be found.