New Zealand Journal of Archaeology Index  >  Vol 25 Campbell

 

 

NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY
ISSN 0110~540X

ABSTRACT

 

The Archaeology of Omaha Sandspit,

Northland, New Zealand

 

Matthew Campbell1, Simon Bickler2 and Rod Clough2

 

ABSTRACT

In the course of mitigation of earthworks associated with residential development at

Omaha, 249 middens were recorded and investigated. Dates range from about AD

1400–1700, placing the occupation and use of Omaha firmly within the late phase of

prehistory. The middens contained very little other than shell, and we interpret their

use as a combination of industrial scale shellfish processing and formal gatherings.

The economic analysis of Omaha is fairly straight forward, but we also offer a

socially oriented explanation to account for aspects of the archaeology that clearly are

not economic.

 

Keywords: OMAHA, NORTHLAND, SHELL MIDDEN, FISH, LANDSCAPE, SOCIETY.

 

1Anthropology Department, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand

2Clough and Associates, 209 Carter Road, Oratia, Auckland, New Zealand

Ó Copyright New Zealand Archaeological Association.

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