Learning tom N.Z.’S past

Press, 19 May 1981, Page 6

Learning tom N.Z.’S past

Archaeology is, not just digging in the past -- it’ can help us. learn from our mistakes, according-tbj the head of the - prehistory.'.departmerit at the Canterbury Museum; Mr M. M. Trotter. Mr Trotter-.is; one of- 44 speakers at the'Archaeological Association’s twentyseventh annual conference in Christchurch this week. He said; thatv up. to -40 species, includirig the moa. had. been wiped out before European settlement was widespread in New Zealand. Burning the bush, had started a pattern of erosion which still continued.

New .'Zealand’s short; .history, was no 'disadvantage to. its.. growing nuiriber of ar- 1 ' ; chaeologists, 1 ,;.' v; . ' ■ One expanding branch of study was industrial archaeology, ’ inwhich early New Zealand ruining sites were explored; The wealth of such ■ sites, and protective legislai tion, gave would-be; historians ample scope, he. said. i . The five-day conference is , based at the Canterbury ‘ Museum and has drawn en; ; thusiasts from throughout . New Zealand.. Activities inI elude discussions, slides, and i a field trip to the Okains Bay ■y. Museum. ?, ?. ;