Maritime Archaeology in New Zealand

A Developing Discipline

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Maritime archaeology, the discipline which examines "human interaction with the sea, lakes and rivers through the study of vessels, shore side facilities, cargoes, human remains and submerged landscapes" is a relatively new field in New Zealand. The sea has played a vital role in the settlement and history of New Zealand, but until recent years, scientific studies of marine sites of both Maori and European origin have been largely neglected in favor of terrestrial sites due to a dearth of experienced marine archaeologists as well as a lack of concentration on and funding for underwater exploration and preservation.

Excavation and Salvage

Salvage has been conducted by private individuals and companies on some New Zealand marine sites, sometimes using archaeological techniques, as in the case of Bill Day's 1996 dive expedition on the wreck of an unidentified ship . Another well-known wreck explorer and marine enthusiast of New Zealand's maritime treasures is Kelly Tarlton; his contributions to the field included recovery of numerous artifacts and the establishment of the Museum of Shipwrecks at Waitangi, in the Bay of Islands. Tarlton also founded Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World, a famed aquarium where visitors view a variety of sea life while traveling through submerged glass tunnels . Further information on Tarlton and the artefacts he salvaged may be found under Private Collections. According to the Marine Archaeological Association of New Zealand (MAANZ), the only submerged sites off the coasts of the country "that have had any sort of archaeological techniques applied to them" are the wrecks of Endeavour, the HMS Buffalo, L'Alcmene, the whale boats from Lake Waikaremoana, Taupo, Martha, and a drowned Pa site in Lake Okataina in the Rotorua District .

Protection of Sites

Marine sites in New Zealand waters may gain protection under several acts of legislation; these include The Shipping and Seaman’s Act (1952), The Antiquities Act (1975), and The Historic Places Act (1980, modified 1993). Under the Historic Places Act, any vessel that sank before 1900 is protected by law. In order to "modify, damage or destroy an archaeological site," it is necessary to obtain the written permission of The New Zealand Historic Places Trust . Unfortunately, in many situations, private salvagers disregard the legislation and simply take what they find .

Maritime Sites

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General Grant strikes the cliffs <ref>http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/shipwrecks/7/4/1

Shipwrecks

Shipwrecks are likely the type of marine site which has the strongest hold on the public imagination and which garners the most attention. Over 2,300 European ships have wrecked in the waters off New Zealand's coasts since the 1790s. Unknown numbers of Maori canoes have also been lost to the sea; the country's waters contain bountiful archaeological resources from which modern scientists can learn about the variety of cultures which shaped the modern nation. Indeed, dangerous waters and their human victims are a reoccuring theme in Maori legend <ref>http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/shipwrecks/1.

Mainly due to boat construction methods, a general lack of knowledge about marine hazards offshore, and an almost complete lack of ship guidance devices like lighhouses, the 19th century saw the greatest loss of both ships and life. Some of the recorded European ships which sank or were grounded in the area during this time period include Endeavour (1795), the HMS Orpheus (1863), Fiery Star (1865), General Grant (1866), Tararua (1881), and Wairarapa (1894). Most of these vessels either crashed into cliffs or ran into shallow submerged coral reefs <ref>http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/shipwrecks/2.

Only around 150 of the recorded shipwrecks have so far been located, and very few of these have been investigated by archaeologists. Ships that have been researched include Endeavour, the HMS Buffalo (1840), L'Alcmene (1851), and Taupo (1881) <ref>http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/shipwrecks/7.

Fishing and Whaling Sites

For as long as humans have inhabited New Zealand, the ocean has provided valuable resources to society. Archaeological sites which it is possible to locate and investigate include traditional low Maori dams built for use in conjunction with hīnaki (fish traps), whose function was to divert fish into the traps <ref>http://tereomaori.tki.org.nz/he-reo-komanawa/documents/.../H_01_fishing.doc and shoreline whaling sites, like the Waikouaiti Whaling Station, and whale processing factories. 87 have been located definitively in the country thus far; 25 other sites are possibly also related to the whaling industry. From c. 1830-1840, whaling was New Zealand's primary commercial industry. The main prey taken was the right whale; after its decline due to overhunting, humpbacks and sperm whales increased in relative importance. Traditional Maori methods of whale hunting were used into the 20th century on the East Coast and in the Bay of Plenty <ref>http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/conservation/historic/topics/archaelogy-nz-shore-whaling.pdf. Te Awaite whaling station, c.1909 <ref>http://www.odt.co.nz/files/story/2009/12/te_awaite_whaling_station_in_tory_channel_marlboro_1816760899.JPG

Drowned Sites

Changing sea levels or human modifications to the land and water may create "sunken sites" which were previously terrestrial but have now been submerged. Examples include a section "of the town of Cromwell, which was submerged by the creation of Lake Dunstan for hydro-electricity generation" <ref>http://www.historic.org.nz/en/Publications/~/media/Corporate/Files/Brochures/Archaeology_shipwrecks.ashx and the drowned Pa site in Lake Okataina <ref>http://www.maanz.wellington.net.nz/maanz/mari.html.

Marine Preservation and Conservation

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There are numerous museums throughout the country which serve to preserve and house artefacts as well as to educate the public about the role of the sea in prehistoric and historic New Zealand. These include the Butler Point Whaling Museum, which focuses on the local whaling industry and associated artefacts, the Otago Settlers Museum , also with a focus on whaling and the Thornycroft Torpedo Boat Museum, which displays a 19th century torpedo boat. As the sea was a major source of industry, resources, trade, and mythology, many other museums have collections which, while not maritime-specific, include a large number of artefacts and exhibits related to the sea; for example, the Tairawhiti Museum exhibits the wheelhouse from the Star of Canada, wrecked in 1912.

At The Museum of Wellington City and Sea, visitors have the opportunity to explore the rich maritime history of the capital city. Exhibits focus on New Zealand fisheries, the history of Wellington, ship wrecks, and shipping, while changing exhibitions expose the public to a variety of other sea-related topics. Other exciting and educational opportunities include dramatized Maori legends relating to the sea (enhanced with special effects) and information on the Plimmers Ark conservation project <ref>http://www.museumofwellington.co.nz/activities/permanent_exhibitions.shtml. See the Museum of Wellington City and Sea website for schedules and information on changing exhibitions.

Voyager, the New Zealand Maritime Museum, located in downtown Auckland, seeks to educate the public about New Zealand's marine history. Highlights include viewings of "Te Waka: Our Great Journey," a film about the first great voyage to and settlement of Aotearoa (New Zealand in the Maori language) as well as changing exhibits on Maori canoes and sailing techniques, the journeys of European immigrants, modern yachting, and many other sea-related ventures <ref>http://www.maritimemuseum.co.nz/afawcs0138401/tn-home.html. For more information, visit the museum website.

External Links

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Maritime Archaeological Association of New Zealand (MAANZ)home page

Trade a Boat: Features, Shipwreck Explorer, article on preservationist Noel Hilliam's contributions to the Dargaville Maritime Museum

New Zealand's Maritime Archaeological Heritage unesco notes by Mary O'Keeffe, 2003

Maritime Archaeology general overview from Wikipedia

TeAra.govt.nz, The Encyclopedia of New Zealand: shipwrecks

New Zealand Historic Places Trust: Shipwrecks and Underwater Archaeological Sites

References

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