Autridge's paddock, and the excavation site
Image: Janice Adamson
Background
Archaeological investigation of two historic European farmstead sites (NZAA site numbers P19/292 and P19/270) is being undertaken this summer as the fieldwork component of PhD research by Janice Adamson at the University of Auckland. The sites are located in Omata, New Plymouth.
The two sites chosen for excavation are part of a largely undocumented archaeological resource of European farmstead sites that were destroyed during conflict relating to the first Taranaki land war between March 1860 and March 1861. The potential for archaeology relating to these sites was first identified by Dr Nigel Prickett, whose own PhD research was on the military stockade at Omata.
The two sites to be investigated are currently in farm paddocks, with no visible surface features, aside from an indentation relating to a well on one site (P19/292), and the known location of the well on the other (P19/270). The sites were located through a combination of overlaying of historical maps, surface scatters of ceramics and glass, and geophysical survey, using a fluxgate gradiometer.
These early farmstead sites have particular significance as they represent some of the earliest European farming activities in the North Island. In addition, it appears these sites were not rebuilt upon after the land wars, meaning the opportunity is present to study the archaeological remains of the specific individuals and families that occupied these farmsteads for such a short period of time.
The archaeological investigations are being funded by the landowner, Len Jury, and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. The landowner and local iwi, Te Kotahitanga O Nga Mahanga A Tairi Society Incorporated, have both given their consent for this project to proceed. An authority to undertake these investigations has been granted by the NZHPT in accordance with the requirements of the Historic Places Act 1993.
The excavations are being led by Janice Adamson, together with Hans-Dieter Bader of Geometria Ltd, and equipment has been provided by the University of Auckland, Anthropology Department. We are grateful to Jufferman Surveying Ltd which is providing internet access during the excavations. This series of daily diaries, photos and video tracks the archaeological investigation of the Autridge farmstead. You can also follow the excavation of the Jury farmstead separately - refer to the side navigation at left.
Aims of the Research
The focus of the research is to understand the everyday lives of the families that occupied these farmsteads, particularly investigating how motivations and values of the settlers may have been expressed through the material culture and landscape of the family farm.
Archaeology of the historic period uses a combination of methods, joining documentary sources, including pictures, diaries, journals and land records, together with the archaeological record.
These excavations in Omata are expected to uncover discarded artefacts such as broken ceramics and glass, metal, personal items such as buttons and slate pencils, as well as archaeological features that relate to buildings and structures, such as post-holes, old fence lines, rubbish pits, and wells.
These features and artefacts can lead to understanding such things as whether the occupants may have been wealthy, what kinds of food and drink they were consuming, what kinds of technology they were using on the farm, and also, whether they could read and write, as many of the settlers at this time could not.
Site P19/270: The Autridges
This site will be excavated in February 2008. This homestead site was occupied by Charles Autridge, who arrived with his wife Frances and son John on the second ship that sailed from Plymouth, the Amelia Thompson, and arrived in New Plymouth on 3 September 1841 (Rutherford and Skinner 1940). The Taranaki Relief Fund Commissions show that Charles Autridge's house was also burned, as well as a dairy and stables, and the family lost their furniture and farming implements (Archives New Zealand IA132/9). The geophysical survey also shows potential archaeological features that will be excavated.