14th Century Maori Village Brought to Light by Logging Yard Project

Archaeologists in New Zealand have made a special discovery at Eastland Port in Gisborne. They have unearthed the indications of a 14th century Maori (Māori) village, a rare find for the area. The work has been called a good example of “the archaeological consent process working well.”

The discovery was made by a team of University of Otago archaeologists. Richard Walter, an archaeology professor at the university, explained the significance of the discovery to The Gisborne Herald, saying, “We don’t know as much about early occupation around this part of the coastline as we do in other parts of the country. There are not many of these very early sites, so this one is filling the gaps.”

Phys.org reports the archaeological team unearthed moa and other animal bones and the remains of other foodstuffs as well as fish hooks (also made of moa bone) and obsidian and chert stone tools. The moa was a type of flightless bird endemic to New Zealand that are now extinct. Evidence of trade between the Māori and the South Island was also found.