EYES IN THE FIELD
EARTHWORKS
Archaeologists are interested in evidence of past
human activity which provides information of former
communities.
This evidence is associated with a
Mangere Mountain
range of site types from large settlements where a
The locations chosen for pa were mostly defensible
number of people lived for a period of time, to
high points, sometimes an isolated hill, but more
places where single artefacts have been found.
often the end of a steep-sided ridge or spur.
Earthworks are a major site type in the study of
A coastal headland or islands where cliffs provided
archaeology.
natural defence on one or more sides were also
Auckland Regional Council 09 366 2000 www.arc.govt.nz
favoured. Pa were also constructed on the edges
MAORI EARTHWORKS
Types of earthworks and how to recognise them
PA - In the Auckland region, as in much of the North
or wetlands and rivers.
Storage pits on Maungarei, Mount Wellington
TERRACES AND STORAGE PITS - Even more numerous
than pa are other earthworks associated with
dwelling places and food storage.
both within and outside pa.
These are the sites
where everyday activities took place.
They include
terraces
on
(artificially
levelled
areas
slopes),
platforms (levelled areas on ridges or hilltops) and
numerous types of pits (depressions of varying sizes
that are the remains of semi-subterranean and
Island, the most noticeable archaeological sites are
roofed
the fortified sites or pa.
Storage
Many of these have well
preserved and spectacular earthworks.
They are found
Pa vary
structures
pits
can
used
be
for
storage
identified
of
from
crops).
other
depressions in the ground as they are usually
greatly in size, from the impressive and complex
rectangular.
earthworks of the volcanic cones, to very small sites
AGRICULTURAL FEATURES - Evidence of cultivation can
consisting of a narrow headland cut off from the
sometimes be seen in the form of shallow drainage
mainland by a defensive ditch and bank.
Often a pa can be recognised from a distance by its
profile - a flat table-top to a hill (the tihi or summit
platform); a V-shaped notch of a defensive ditch in
an otherwise level ridge; or by a series of artificial
‘steps’ cut in a hillside to form the terraced living
places.
features on slopes.
These channels or ditches
demarcate field boundaries.
Other evidence of
cultivation includes mounds and rows, and soils
which have been modified through the addition of
gravel, midden or charcoal.
tool manufacturing areas may also be present.
200 hectares, most of which are now located in
These all contribute to the larger picture of our past
Manukau City, South Auckland.
and show us where people lived, what resources
The small fragments that remain are unique in size
they used and how they modified their environment.
and form and in the density of structures that are
Examples in the Auckland Region
present.
The volcanic cones of the Auckland isthmus and
their archaeological landscapes are among the most
conspicuous features of the landscape.
Cone pa
were situated on 33 of the 50 volcanic eruptive
centres of the Auckland volcanic zone. Only 16 now
Alluvial stonefields at Tapapakanga Regional Park
Maori used stone to build many different types of
remain in a reasonably intact condition.
They provide an opportunity to conserve
and interpret a very important aspect of Maori landuse and settlement, that is, the relationship between
pa, settlement and land division.
encapsulate the early relationships between Maori
and missionary, and between Maori and the growing
European
structures throughout New Zealand. They included
These sites also
colonial
settlements.
By
identifying,
investigating and researching these sites we can
heaps, rows, alignments, platforms, pavements, sub-
provide an understanding of these relationships.
surface drainage systems, houses, shelters, stonefaced pits, and terraces, stone-walled defences,
OTHER HISTORIC EARTHWORKS
retaining walls and free-standing walls.
A large variety of site types characterise the early
Why are these features important?
years of European settlement in New Zealand. Most
There are about 9000 recorded archaeological sites
sites come within a few broad categories including
in the Auckland region. About 90% of these relate
the following:
to Maori occupation.
earthworks
Sites that have evidence of
associated
Among the most important archaeological sites in
archaeological features and therefore should not be
the Auckland region are the stonefield walled
viewed in isolation. This is important to remember
garden systems surrounding the volcanic cones and
when undertaking development
located in the alluvial river valleys.
activities
commonly
in
the
archaeological site.
close
have
RESIDENTIAL - Residential sites include whare sites,
Maungakiekie
vicinity
or
to
construction
a
known
Where there is evidence of
long-term occupation, such as pits for storage of
Stonefields, or
more correctly lava fields, originally surrounded most
of the volcanic cones of Auckland.
It has been
estimated
there
by
archaeologists
that
were
crops, levelled terraces for living and defensive
originally some 8000 hectares of fertile lava fields
features for protection, there will often be less
that were occupied and used by both Maori and
obvious surface and subterranean evidence of other
Pakeha over the last 1000 years. The accumulative
features and structures.
Gardens, field boundaries,
effects of urban and industrial development over the
stone constructions, kitchen rubbish middens, and
last 150 years have however destroyed all but some
gum
diggers
camps
and
homesteads.
Often
associated with these are wells and artefacts and
sometimes
historic
trees
planted
by
early
communities.
AGRICULTURAL - These sites document the felling of the
bush, the breaking in of the land and fencing,
drainage and cultivation.
Agricultural site types
include saw pits, fencelines (wire, post and rail, stone
or earth walls), drainage systems, farm tracks,
dwellings and other buildings.
INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL - In the early years of
settlement
in
New
Zealand
lack
of
transport
encouraged
isolated
communities
to
establish local manufacturing industries. Industrial
sites include mines, quarries, kauri gum workings,
timber mills, and a range of manufacturing plants.
These included smelters, potteries, brickworks, lime
kilns, flour mills, breweries, creameries and dairy
factories. Kauri timber dams were numerous in West
Auckland and on Great Barrier Island.
TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION - Archaeological sites
relating
to
early
systems
of
transport
and
communication include jetties and wharves, tracks,
roads, railway lines, tramways and bridges.
MILITARY - European
military
forces
constructed
military installations during the New Zealand Wars.
These sites include earthen redoubts, blockhouses,
stockades, camps and battle sites. The redoubt was
the British answer to the Maori pa but they are
distinguished by the rectangular angles and straight
lines of the defences.
A network of later coastal
defence systems can be found around harbour
mouths and coastal areas such as North Head,
Waiheke and Motutapu Islands.
What you can do
It is important that those in the field can recognise
different types of archaeological structures and
features.
You are our “Eyes in the Field” and we
need your help to preserve and protect our
diminishing archaeological resource. You can:
Locate - Take a photo or make a quick sketch so that
the site can be relocated,
Determine the nature of the earthworks - have areas been
artificially levelled to make platforms or terraces for
living areas? Have pits been dug for storage? Are
there any associated features that you can see (e.g.
shell midden or stone features)?
Report - Let the ARC Cultural Heritage team know
where you’ve been and what you saw. Write down
notes so that you can describe the site. Also report
if there are any actual or potential adverse effects on
this site.
Report Damage
Report any damage to archaeological sites to the
New Zealand Historic Places Trust Pouhere Taonga
Auckland Region Ph: (09) 307 8896
Head Office Wellington Ph: (04) 472 4341
Sources of information
Daniels, J. R. S. 1979, New Zealand Archaeology: A Site Recording
Handbook. Monograph No.10. New Zealand Archaeological
Association.
Davidson, J. 1975, Archaeological Sites of the Auckland Region. Auckland
Regional Authority Planning Division.
New Zealand Historic Places Trust, 1982, Archaeological Remains of Maori
Pa. The Past At Our Feet: 2.
Trotter, M & McCulloch B. 1989, Unearthing the Past. GP Books
Remnants of earthen water race at Riverhead Mill
Auckland Regional Council, 09 366 2000 www.arc.govt.nz
networks