Archaeology

James-Lee, Tiffany (2006): Indigenous and Exotic: Archaeozoology of the Te Hoe Shore Whaling Station, New Zealand.
Faunal analysis has long been a strength in the archaeology of prehistoric New Zealand, though its use in the interpretations of historic sites has been relatively recent. This thesis presents the results and interpretations of faunal analyses conducted on three early-mid, late prehistoric, and historic faunal assemblages from Te Hoe, the site of a nineteenth century shore whaling station on the North Island East Coast. Historic sources from the mid-nineteenth century are used to describe the shore whaling industry and lifestyle of whaling communities. Taxa utilized, habitats exploited, indigenous/exotic species focus and butchery unit analysis are used to provide a picture of resource use and dietary consumption at Te Hoe. These results are then compared between the three assemblages to examine temporal changes in the diet of the occupants at Te Hoe during these three periods. The historic faunal assemblage from Te Hoe is then compared with faunal assemblages from four other nineteenth century whaling station sites in New Zealand and Australia. This intersite comparison places the results from Te Hoe in temporal and spatial contexts. Finally, with the aid of historic resources, the emergence of the unique cultural identity of New Zealanders of European ancestry – Pakeha – is evidenced in the period of nineteenth century shore whalers, such as those that live at Te Hoe.
Marsh, Rebecca Anne (2006): Research into the efficacy of the New Zealand Archaeological Association Site Recording Scheme and the integration of archaeologistis' knowledge into planning processes - with reference to the Kaikoura District and the typological debate.
This research project has examined three aspects of archaeological resource management in New Zealand. The New Zealand Archaeological Association Site Recording Scheme is the national database for archaeological site information, and is often utilised by planning officers in the creation of district plans. Using a selection of sites from the Kaikoura District, an archaeological field survey and assessment was conducted in June 2005. The resulting data was used to facilitate an analysis of the accuracy of the data contained within the site record files. The Kaikoura District was chosen for analysis due to the convenience of a wide range of sites within a contained area, and due to a request on part of the local iwi, District Council officers for assistance in the upgrading of their provisions for the protection of archaeological sites.

An analysis was done on the Kaikoura District Plan, currently still in the proposal stage. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are enjoying more prominence in archaeology as the technology becomes easier to use. To aid in the analysis of the Site Recording Scheme, each site was mapped with GPS and the information imported into a GIS program. This information was also incorporated into a discussion on the issue of typology, and the question of ‘what is a site?’ These issues are relevant to both the Site Recording Scheme and the use of archaeologists’ knowledge in planning processes.

The findings of this research showed that the Kaikoura District Plan is strong on paper, but the fact that the archaeological information has been badly incorporated into the provisions means that protection will be lacking. Two problems arise with the Site Recording Scheme, the first is that many of the sites have only bee recorded once, and this often in the 1960s when the scheme was first begun. The second problem relates to that of typology; because of the nature of archaeological sites, many require more than one type to fully describe what the site is. This poses problems for the integration of archaeologists’ knowledge into the planning process, as planning officers and other stakeholders require more definite identification. Having two or more site types, combined with grid references that only indicate the presence of an archaeological site may lead to confusion which will make the protection of these features more difficult.

It was suggested that in the future, a set procedure should be put in place to ensure continuity in the way in which grid references are created. Clearly, the Kaikoura District Plan would benefit most from a clearer understanding of the archaeological knowledge it employs, as well as an appreciation of the values of these archaeological sites. The question of typology will continue to be a problem, it will be most important for archaeologists and planners alike to make it clear what sort of typology they are following, and to outline their reasons for its use.

Petersen, Kiri G. P. (2006): The Place of Omimi in North Otago Prehistory.
This thesis examines the place of Omimi within the economic and settlement sequence of prehistoric coastal North Otago. This was achieved through analysis of the faunal assemblage obtained during the 2004-2005 excavation, then examination of the subsequent faunal data plus evidence of settlement patterns in context with other coastal North Otago sites. The site of Omimi (S155/31) is located around 3 km north of Warrington, situated on coastal farmland at an elevation of about 20 to 30 m above a hard-shore marine environment. Analysis of the Omimi faunal assemblage showed a dominance of marine resources over terrestrial. Fish were the dominant economic contributor, with shellfish, small bird, moa, kuri (Polynesian dog) and kiore (Polynesian rat) also identified. The absence of sea mammal remains is unusual considering its close proximity to a hard shore habitat – the preferred habitat of the most widely utilised sea mammal in prehistoric New Zealand, the fur seal. The nature of the moa remains suggest that they were of more significance to the Omimi people as a source of artefact manufacturing material then as a source of food. Both the absence of sea remains and the minimal moa numbers suggest a late Archaic, or transitional date for Omimi, further supported by the style of the material culture recovered and a radiocarbon date obtained, placing the site to the latter part of the fifteenth century. When compared with other early prehistoric coastal North Otago sites, the Omimi fauna is fairly typical. However when examining settlement aspects, Omimi differs in several key points. Firstly the location of the site at a high altitude and in close proximity to a hard-shore environment is in contrast to the usual early coastal settlement choice of low altitude and soft-shore environs. In addition, while the typical definition of a late Archaic settlement is characterised by lack of social complexity, the Omimi excavations have uncovered evidence of a wealth of complexity, with spatial differentiation of features and a wide array of activities represented by the identified material culture. Omimi therefore challenges the accepted view of a late Archaic site, thereby increasing our awareness about this period of substantial economic and social transition in coastal North Otago prehistory.
2005
Harris, Jaden (2005): Material Culture of the Oashore Whalers.
This thesis presents an analysis of the material culture of the Oashore whalers as represented by the excavated artefact assemblage. Shore whaling stations represent some of the earliest European communities in New Zealand. Previously very little archaeological work has been done on these sites and so we know almost nothing about their material culture. Historical sources can give us glimpses of domestic activity at shore whaling stations but generally detailed information on day to day life is lacking. The results of this work show that life at Oashore was fairly simple, with the station likely only being provisioned with basic supplies and the gear necessary to carry out whaling. This way of life is reflected in a comparison of the material culture of the Oashore whalers with that from other excavated shore whaling station sites in New Zealand and Australia. The range of material culture is also little different to that evidenced from other contemporary historical sites in New Zealand.
Latham, Phillip (2005): Investigating Change Over Time in the Prehistoric Fish Catch at Purakaunui.
This thesis looks at a number of issues related to the archaeological fish bone recovered from Purakaunui during the 2001-2003 ANTH 405 field schools. In particular, this work examines stratified samples of fish bone from the site and investigates the relative abundances of species in the prehistoric fish catch through time. An earlier preliminary study by Latham (2002) identified a predominance of red cod (Pseudophycis bachus) from a small area of the site complex in upper deposits and cut features, with barracouta (Thyrsites atun) dominating the lower deposits. Subsequent archaeological work has been undertaken to test this result further over larger areas of the site complex. A rigorous field sampling strategy targeted to primary stratigraphic units was employed to distinguish fish bone samples between early and later contexts from two discrete locations.

The results of this recent work confirm and extend the findings of the previous study. A number of possibilities as to why this in-site change may have occurred between layers are raised and reviewed in this thesis. Another component of this work involves the examination of past fish bone studies at Purakaunui and elsewhere in Otago to assess changes in the fish catch over time and space. The results of this older research are considered against the present study in relation to site- and period- specific issues and the problem of recovery techniques. Having reviewed the evidence this research also proposes a testable hypothesis suggesting there was a growth in the prehistoric red cod industry over time in the Purakaunui locale, and possibly further a field in North Otago. Furthermore, it places existing evidence from earlier period contexts at the archaeological sites of Shag Mouth and Pleasant River, suggestive of an initial period of opportunistic fishing before the emergence of a more dedicated barracouta industry, into the proposed new model of marine exploitation patterns in this region.

Vogel, Yolanda (2005): Ika.
This thesis examines methodological issues in the analysis of fishbone assemblages from the Pacific. A review of the literature on Pacific fishing raises questions about methodology in Pacific fishbone analysis. Recent work in Pacific fishbone analysis at the Otago Archaeology Laboratory and other international laboratories has shown that different identification and quantification methods have significant influence on measures of relative abundance. This can affect the type of interpretations that result from midden analysis. A common method employed in New Zealand and the Pacific involves the identification of five paired mouth bones plus various special bones, and the use of MNI for quantification. A large fishbone assemblage from Rapa in French Polynesia is used as a case study to evaluate alternative analytical approaches. Tropical Pacific fish bone assemblages tend to have a relatively high species diversity compared to temperate New Zealand assemblages. Many reef fish also have small mouths in comparison to temperate fish species. It is concluded that in tropical Pacific assemblages the number of elements identified to taxa can have a significant effect on possible interpretations of past behaviours.

This thesis also presents the first archaeological interpretation of the prehistoric fishing on Rapa. Due to its subtropical location Rapa presents an opportunity to study human adaptation to resource poor environments. While it is found that the fishing industry shows some general similarities to those of other islands in East Polynesia, the environmental constraints have resulted in some interesting variations in terms of target taxa.

The analysis of the Rapan assemblages confirms that, at least in some cases, the use of a wider suite of elements for identification will have a significant impact on the number of taxa identified in an assemblage, and resulting interpretations of fishing behaviours.
2004
Gilmore, Helen (2004): "A Goodly Heritage" Queen's Gardens, Dunedin 1800-1927: An Urban Landscape Biography.

(Shared with History Dept.)

This work is a landscape study of the Queen’s Gardens Public Reserve in Dunedin from the early nineteenth century to the end of the First World War. Originally the ‘gateway’ to Dunedin, this historic precinct is a good example of urban cultural landscape, containing a historic and commemorative record of community and individual activities. The Queen’s Gardens area has played a key role in the history and development of the city of Dunedin, and contains many excellent examples of built heritage, much of which remains intact and currently in use.

Urban landscapes are generally on a smaller scale than rural and regional-scale landscapes. However, their design and histories also constitute a record of active and dynamic interaction between people and place. Whether representative of economic, industrial or political activities, domesticity, leisure, or the arts, the material culture of urban landscapes conveys information concerning, community cultural values, civic infrastructure, significant events and activities, which can be traced through their various stylistic changes, modifications and successional uses, and interpreted within their historical social context.

The aim of this study has been to interpret the landscape of Queen’s Gardens as a record of the establishment and evolution of cultural ideas, values, and notions of group identity, and to use this process to discover the heritage values that it has acquired, and the ways in which these are recognised. I built up a picture of the landscape in four chronological stages, looking at the relationships between material objects in these spaces, and the ideas and values that they represented. I trace the development of the Reserve and the creation of its cultural heritage through successive phases from the pre-land, pre-European period, early settlement, and land reclamation process, and the changing layouts and uses of space between the early nineteenth century and the end of the 1920s. By separating and examining each layer of landscape in chronological sequence, I uncover the cultural history of the landscape, and identify the traditions and aspirations of the people and groups who formed, manipulated and used it. The progressive series of significant and dynamic changes in form, function and ideology that this area underwent throughout it formative years contributed greatly to the growth and development of Dunedin, and reflected many of the social values and perspectives of colonial culture.

This work is an exercise in reading a cultural heritage landscape, not only through its material culture, documentary history, and progressions of form, but also it established traditions, and the variety of personalities, contrasting perspectives and stories that contributed to these. By synthesising the resulting data, interweaving the different strands of approach and materials of evidence into a holistic picture, I have shown how heritage meaning was progressively deposited and embedded in this urban landscape as it developed.

This study demonstrates that the landscape interpretive approach can be applied to an urban context with a shorter and more specific cultural sequence, and that a New Zealand urban landscape can provide a valuable insight to the social and cultural attitudes of the colonial past.
Hurren, Kathryn (2004): Archaeology of Benhar: A Material Culture and Landscape Study of a New Zealand Industrial Site.
This thesis focuses on the pottery and landscape of a small Otago factory. Benhar was a pipe works and pottery factory south of Dunedin that operated from the 1860s through to the 1990s. Benhar was founded by John Nelson in 1863 and sold to Peter McSkimming in 1894. The main emphasis of this thesis is the period of domestic pottery production from the 1890s to the 1980s. The main production of wares occurred during WWI and WWII with smaller production periods occurring in the 1890s and 1970-1980s. Utilitarian wares with the occasional decorative piece comprised the majority of wares produced for the domestic market. The pottery produced at the Benhar factory as well as its landscape has undergone many changes over the last 112 years. This thesis combines historic, archaeological, landscape studies and anthropological approaches. Due to the different approaches taken in this thesis there is no one theory but a multitude of underlying theories. The outline of the thesis is as follows; Chapter One of the thesis introduces and discusses the themes, theories and ideas held within the thesis. Chapter Two is a historical review of Benhar. Chapter Three studies Benhar's material culture and its chronology of change. Chapter Four looks at Benhar's landscape and places it within a theoretical context. Chapter Five reports on recent excavations at Benhar, while the final chapter concludes the thesis.
Taylor, Adrian (2004): Managing Environmental and Visitor Impacts on Archaeological Sites along the Abel Tasman National Park Coastline.
For over fifty years a large expanse of the Abel Tasman Coast has been afforded national protection subsequent to the establishment of the ATNP. This area of protected coastline has a long history of both Maori and European settlement, which has resulted in a wealth of archaeological and heritage sites. These sites represent a unique resource, of which many of the individual sites are arguably of both regional and national importance. These important coastal sites are however under ongoing threat from natural environmental and visitor impacts.

This thesis draws together past and new research to determine whether current ATNP management strategies are appropriate for the long-term protection of the archaeological information inherent in these coastal sites. The legislation that protects these sites and those bordering the Park is presented to assess past and current management strategies that have been carried out to protect the Park’s coastal sites. The nature and extent of the loss of archaeological information from the ATNP’s coastal sites is then examined. This is achieved with the investigation of three primary case study sites. These are Awaroa Inlet, Totaranui, and Anapai. Smaller secondary case study sites are considered for comparative purposes.

The extent of past, current and ongoing threats to the three primary case study sites are then ranked for impact. Ranking allows for the assessment of the degree of effect of concurrent visitor and environmental impacts affecting the coastal case study sites over time. The ranking of impacts to the case study sites shows how management strategies must be implemented for these sites that are appropriate to the changing nature and usage of their coastal locations.
Tucker, Brooke (2004): The Problem with Culture: Models of Change in New Zealand Archaeology.
This thesis addresses the study of social difference (both spatial and temporal) and the debate over theoretical mechanisms that explain the structuring of this difference. The culture concept is identified as the primary means by which anthropologists and archaeologists have modelled change through time and the conceptual foundations of this approach are investigated. The growth of the culture concept and its application as an archaeological tool is charted in comparison to subsequent developments in anthropological theory and points of divergence are identified. Strengths and constraints of models of culture are evaluated with particular reference to the study of change in New Zealand archaeology. When compared to Europe and the Americas, temporal and geographic differences in scale within New Zealand highlight problems associated with archaeological models of culture. In the past, these differences contributed to early recognition of the distinction between archaeological and anthropological 'cultures' in New Zealand and they provide a valuable focus for a critique of the culture model in studies of change.

The anthropological critique of culture emerging from contemporary studies of society has led to the development of different ways of modelling change that have exciting implications for archaeology in New Zealand. If other models of interaction in anthropology can replace culture, archaeologists in this country may be able to apply these to better reflect the types and processes of change they are studying. The archaeological tradition is presented as a viable alternative to culture, and its origin and subsequent revision and application is examined. Informed by contemporary anthropological and archaeological theory, the tradition can provide an explanatory framework for the study of stability and change. For archaeologists, models of tradition can address many of the problems inherent in the application of archaeological cultures, drawing archaeology and anthropology closer together to provide a more powerful explanatory model of change.

2003
Molloy, Nicola (2003): The Material Culture of Ban Bon Noen.
This thesis examines the material culture from the six occupational layers at Ban Bon Noen, Central Thailand. Through the analysis of the ceramic, lithic and metallurgical assemblages, the range of subsistence activities at Ban Bon Noen are determined and the site is placed in a broad regional context.

Ban Bon Noen reveals two major phases of occupation. The first phase may date from as early as 1500 BC. In the later stage, Ban Bon Noen is incorporated into the Dvaravati polity, becoming one of several rural hinterland sites providing support to elites at the ceremonial centre of Muang Phra Rot. The archaeological evidence indicates that the residents of Ban Bon Noen exploited a range of terrestrial and marine resources. The site is furthermore seen to conform to a broad regional pattern, both in the location of the site as well as the technology of the inhabitants. Comparative analysis of a number of Southeast Asian sites, including Khok Phanom Di, Nong Nor, Chansen and Oc Eo, indicate cultural continuity in the region, underscored by a well-developed network of exchange.

Stowe, Chris (2003): The Ecology and Ethnobotany of Karaka (Corynocarpus laevigatus).

(MSc shared with Botany Dept.)

Historically there has been considerable debate over the origin of karaka (Corynocarpus laevigatus J.R. et G. Forst.) in New Zealand. In contrast, the extent and importance of prehistoric arboriculture in New Zealand has received little attention in the literature. This study reviews the ecology and ethnobotany of karaka and investigates its cultural and natural biogeography.

Maori migration traditions frequently state that karaka was introduced to New Zealand. However, molecular evidence and finds of fossil seeds of late Oligocene age show that karaka is endemic to New Zealand. Therefore, Maori traditions probably relate to the translocation and cultivation of karaka within the New Zealand region, for which there is abundant anecdotal evidence. Karaka fruits were a valuable addition to the Maori diet and were likely to have functioned as a replacement for traditional Polynesian tree crops. The preparation of karaka seeds also had Polynesian precedents and entailed a rigorous regime of steaming and soaking to rid the kernal of its toxic elements. There is data to suggest selection for fruit size and/or nutritional value in cultivated karaka populations.

A database of karaka distribution was compiled and populations classified as ‘cultural’ or ‘unknown’ on the basis of spatial association with archaeological sites. Groves classed as cultural were assumed to be cultivated or translocated by prehistoric Maori. Lack of effective seed dispersal by birds and the longevity of the trees, mean that the contemporary distribution of karaka provides a reasonable template for the extent of its prehistoric translocation and cultivation within New Zealand.

Karaka has a distinct cultural and natural biogeography. The greatest overlap between cultural and unknown trees occurred in the northern North Island while the majority of trees in the lower North Island, and all trees in the South Island were classed as cultural. Prior to the arrival of Polynesians in New Zealand, karaka was probably restricted in distribution to the Northland/Auckland region. Its natural range was then extended by human translocation and cultivation to the lower North Island, South Island, Kermadec Islands, Chatham Islands and many other in-shore islands off New Zealand.

Climate variables were fitted to the distribution data and discriminant analysis used to further test the classification of karaka into cultural and unknown populations. Significant differences were found in climatic parameters between groups. Cultural karaka were found in environments with greater solar radiation seasonality, higher evaporative demands and greater soil moisture deficits than unknown karaka. The climate profile of karaka was closer to that of other tree species currently restricted to the northern North Island than with more widely distributed species. Furthermore, the climate profileand location of cultural karaka is biased towards the same environmmental correlates of pa and pit site locations, further indicating that karaka was a cultivated tree crop.

The extensive translocation of karaka by Maori means that it has the potential, with the application of molecular methods, to serve as a marker for prehistoric settlement and mobility. Preliminary work has begun on this aspect and a predictive model is presented of the possible relationships within and between populations of karaka.

It is concluded that the importance and extent of karaka arboriculture, and probably that of other endemic tree species, has previously been overlooked. This has implications for our view of certain plant communities as unmodified by humans, and provides an impetus to protect surface vegetation as an integral part of some prehistoric archaeological sites.