18. Could these discoveries, buried deep beneath layers of soil and time, be evidence of human presence in New Zealand long before 1280 AD?

Two artefacts in the series are presented:

Archaeological Artefacts

1.4   Polished Stone Tools

Julius von Haast (1822-1887) was a German-born New Zealand explorer, geologist, and founder of the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch. He named the Haast Pass and Haast River after himself. He discovered and named many glaciers in the central South Island, including the Franz Joseph Glacier, named after the Emperor of Austria. Haast township, two mountains, Haast Schist, and the Haast Eagle were later named in his honour, recognizing his contributions to the country's geology.

During his travels, he discovered many features, including polished stone tools.

First, in Bruce Bay, he found an adze below five metres of soil beneath 1000-year-old rimu trees. Gold miners, while digging nearly five metres deep for gold deposits, accidentally found a greyish sandstone chisel and a sharpening chisel close to each other. This process involved removing large trees about one metre in diameter standing close to one another.

Secondly, at Hunts Beach, he found a sandstone adze with a well-polished cutting edge six metres beneath an ancient forest.

The question is, how long does it take for 5 or 6 metres of soil to accumulate? Based on the Olympiad excavation depth, it is likely to be well in excess of 1000 years, well before the first official site of human habitation in New Zealand in 1280 AD.

1.5 Cut-Off Tree Stump

In 1874, a report to the New Zealand Institute outlined the discovery of a tree stump in Albert Park, Auckland, about 7 metres below the surface, standing upright with its root system intact. The cut was clean, as if by a tool leaving the stump in place. The soil stratification was undisturbed and well-layered, indicating there had been no landslides to cover the stump. The stump itself had been well-preserved.

The stump has the appearance of being cut by a tool and therefore by man.

The discovery was the result of an excavation by Auckland Council workmen, overseen by professional staff preparing the ground for laying sewer pipes.

The stump is another piece in building the evidence that New Zealand was populated before 1280 AD.

Which archaeological artefacts found in New Zealand have origins that remain uncertain or subject to debate? Can you identify any?

THE EVIDENCE about New Zealand's first settlers continues in the next Blog.

Your next read in the series: 19. Could this finely carved serpentine bird, found beneath a manuka tree in 1878, be evidence of an ancient migration or trade route long forgotten?