A "treasure trove" of historic artefacts could be uncovered at Christchurch's damaged and demolished heritage sites, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust says.
Archaeologists have been supervising work at the city's earthquake-damaged landmarks, including the Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings.
Last week, a Maori adze, dating back 800 years, was found beneath the demolished Lyttelton post office, and five 140-year-old brick furnaces were found during the Smiths City carpark demolition.
Trust archaeologist Frank van der Heijden said yesterday that work at the Provincial Council Buildings was in the early stages, but it could produce a rare find.
"It's close to the river, so we could have some evidence of Maori occupation ... treasure troves are popping up all over the city."
Archaeologists had mixed emotions over Christchurch's heritage sites being destroyed, van der Heijden said.
"I really regret a lot of what's happening, but for us it's a really good opportunity to get a view of what life was like in, especially, 19th-century Christchurch."
Source: stuff co nz [October 13, 2011]
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| Archaeologists help supervise work at the Provincial Chambers in Christchurch [Credit: David Hallett/Fairfax NZ] |
Last week, a Maori adze, dating back 800 years, was found beneath the demolished Lyttelton post office, and five 140-year-old brick furnaces were found during the Smiths City carpark demolition.
Trust archaeologist Frank van der Heijden said yesterday that work at the Provincial Council Buildings was in the early stages, but it could produce a rare find.
"It's close to the river, so we could have some evidence of Maori occupation ... treasure troves are popping up all over the city."
Archaeologists had mixed emotions over Christchurch's heritage sites being destroyed, van der Heijden said.
"I really regret a lot of what's happening, but for us it's a really good opportunity to get a view of what life was like in, especially, 19th-century Christchurch."
Source: stuff co nz [October 13, 2011]