Omaha Beach
Contents
Summary
The Omaha Beach project has provided an important case study in the occupation of an early – late Classic period landscape used by Maori for the exploitation of the rich coastal marine resources including shark, ray, other fish and shellfish. From the mid-15th century, there was frequent use of the sandspit as a base for large-scale pipi extraction, with large quantities of protein collected both for immediate consumption and for longer-term storage. This pattern continued until well after European settlers arrived in the area.
Location and Date
|
<googlemap lat="-36.334488" lon="174.773941" width="200" height="200" selector="no" controls="none"></googlemap> |
Type
Pre-colonial Maori shell middens. Mid-15th Century to 18th Century AD/CE
Excavators
Project Director: Rod Clough (PhD)
Season 1
- Supervisors: Matthew Campbell (PhD), Donald Prince (MA Hons)
- Archaeologists: Kim Tatton (MA Hons), Mica Plowman (MA Hons), Barry Baquié (MA Hons)
- Historian: Tania Mace (MA Hons)
Season 2
- Supervisors: Donald Prince (MA Hons), Simon H. Bickler (PhD)
- Co-ordinator: Mica Plowman (MA Hons)
- Archaeologists: Vanessa Tanner (MA), Sally Burgess (MA Hons), Barry Baquié (MA Hons)
Ngati Manuhiri/Ngati Wai Representatives:
- Ringi Brown
- Aaron Brown
Other contributing specialists:
- Dr Marianne Turner – Lithics
- Dr Judith Littleton – Skeletal material
- Dr Rod Wallace – Charcoal analysis
- Charlotte Judge – Fishbone (2002)
Artefacts
Only a few artefacts recovered: an adze (in Season 1) and a netsinker (in Season 2) with some obsidian flakes as well. Predominantly shell midden.
Publications
Excavation Report:
Omaha Beach Archaeological Project (2003). Includes Report PDF, additional photos, archaeological plans and sections and web interface. Available from Clough and Associates Website
Other
- Campbell, M., S. Bickler, R. Clough. 2004. The Archaeology of Omaha Sandspit, Northland, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Archaeology 25(2003):121-157.
- Campbell, M. 2003. Contingent scales of analysis at Omaha, northern New Zealand. Australian Archaeology 57:112-118.
- Campbell, M., R. Clough. 2002. Omaha Beach, Stage 1: Preliminary Archaeological Report. Archaeology in New Zealand 45(2):128-152.
See other Category:Prehistoric
