Archaeological Survey

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32252, 21 March 1970, Page 16

Archaeological Survey

Archaeological sites in the Tekapo region were surveyed for a week in January by 11 volunteers under Mr M. M. Trotter, the director of the Canterbury Museum (Dr R. S. Duff) reported to the Museum Trust Board this week.

Only one minor site was found to be threatened by hydro-electric development. The party listed 11 new site records and surveyed two quartzite quarries in the Gray’s Hills first used by Moa-hunter Maoris more than 600 years ago. The party was unsuccessful in finding any evidence of the traditional village site of Rauru reported to have been on the east bank of the Pukaki River, near its junction with the Tekapo. Dr Duff said that after a lapse of perhaps six centuries the presence of such a village would be best established by the chance recovery of distinctive moa-hunter Maori artifacts. He would welcome any information on such finds.

Bones of two moa species were recovered from the limestone sink-holes on the “Annandale” property of Mrs C. M. Dalmer adjoining the Waiau Plain on February 18, Dr Duff said. The bones, which were in a 30ft deep tomo, were recovered by Mr R. J. Scarlett assisted by Messrs B. Chapman, W. Anderton and S. Wilkinson, the three members of the Canterbury Caving Group who found the deposit.