View
of the site at the beginning of Day 4. Photo: Chris
Jacomb, Otago University
We now have a
fairly good understanding of the stratigraphy of the site. It looks like the crushed
shell layer (Layer 3) contains intact features so it is probably part of a living
surface. The artefacts we found yesterday (the bone fishhooks) look quite early
so this layer is probably 'Archaic'.
Bone
fishhooks.
The lower cultural layer (Layer 5)
is obviously older but so far we have not found any diagnostic artefacts. The
two layers are separated by a deep deposit of material that looks like it has
been redeposited over the site. It is not a living surface, but it contains charcoal
and other material that suggests that it was scraped on to the site from an area
of occupation, perhaps to build up a terrace above the river bank.
Sheryl
and Hirere drawing a section through an oven feature. Photo:
Jean Spinks, Otago University
Much of the
day was spent defining the features found in Layer
3 (Area O11 - refer to the site excavation map) and Layer 5 (Area O12).
The oven exposed yesterday in Layer 3 was excavated further in order to reveal
the extent of the feature. A large quantity of hangi stones and charcoal was removed.
The charcoal may provide age ranges for the occupation of the site through
radiocarbon dating. A cross section of the oven was drawn to accurately document
the dimensions of the feature as it will be destroyed during the course of the
excavation. Documentation is important in archaeology as it will contribute to
the overall knowledge of the past in New Zealand.
Lizzy,
Hirere and Sheryl taking a break after completing the excavation of their unit.
Photo: Jean Spinks, Otago University
In the northern excavation area (O12- see site map) the surface
of Layer 5 was taken down to a greater depth in order to define the possible postholes
uncovered yesterday. It was soon discovered that there were fourteen possible
postholes rather than the seven thought to be present yesterday. These are aligned
in a way that suggests the outline of a building. This is important as very few
structures have been found in early occupation sites in New Zealand
