Cavers lead scientists to treasure trove of ancient bones

Press, 25 November 1980, Page 21

Cavers lead scientists to treasure trove of ancient bones

Story and pictures by MICHAEL O’SHEA, of Buller Caving Group

Extinct moas and giant eagles which met their deaths over the centuries by falling into the depths of limestone caves north of Karamea were examined by scientists who accompanied the Buller Caving Group on an expedition to the caves earlier this month. Five specialists from the Otago and Canterbury museums and four members of the caving group explored the Honeycomb Hill cave system in dense bush near the Heaphy Track. They excavated a large number of moas and other extinct birds. The bones were photographed and some were removed for further study. It was the most substantial caving excavation undertaken in New Zealand, and the beginning of a new era in New Zealand natural history. The vast tracts of dense , earthquake-shattered bushlands in the South Island’s north-west guard their secrets from all but the most athletic hunters and bushwalkers. The

caves of the region are unexplored, but adventurous — occasionally foolhardy — cavers are now pioneering these netherworlds. Honeycomb Hill caves were explored for the first time by the Buller Caving Group in April this year. Each expedition there reveals yet more of its mysteries and beauty. Carved from the limestone by water over mil-

lions of years, the rivers that formed the higher passages now chink and clatter on an impervious granite base, leaving a honeycomb of passages miles long and 200 ft , thick. Huge entrances, their ceilings carved like petrified waves of suspended seas, lead into a maze of tunnels and massive tomos (holes) 30ft wide and more

than 100 ft deep. Here are enshrined the remains of extinct moas, kiwis, eagles, ducks, geese and. more recently, deer. For thousands of years these forest creatures have plummeted from the thick bush down the vertical mossy walls and on to sharp limestone rubble. Underground rivers washed their skeletons into the passages, and seeping limestone clays and calcites

have mummified the remains. “Beehive Passage,” a long pyramid-shaped chamber peaked at the roof and gently undulating to the floor in smooth patterned limestone, contained numerous skeletons, and occupied the museum party for the full two days. The oldest moa skele-

tons found there were guessed to be 60.000 years old — yet fairly recent specimens in the moa period which dates back at least 20 million years.

Other passages supported a variety of insect life; beetles, worms, wetas, and millipedes hunting and dying in the tota> darkness.

The final long walk back to the camp through mud, rivers and misty rain, with six tubs of moa remains, prompted a discussion of a more practical use for the bones. Michael Trotter, principal curator of the Canterbury Museum, had a memorable recipe for moa bone soup — “Crush bones to rough powder, add vinegar, salt and pepper. Boil for six hours.”

“Already these skeletons are telling us something of the habits of these birds,” Mr Trotter says. Some skeletons were almost complete, but the dampness of the cave means they will need special treatment before being put on exhibition.