New Zealand Journal of Archaeology Index  >  Vol 30 Smith and Anderson.

An Archaeological Sequence for Codfish Island (Whenua Hou), Southland, New Zealand

 

lan Smith¹ and Atholl Anderson²

 

Recent archaeological investigations on Codfish Island, Southland, New Zealand are described. The form and contents of the archaeological deposits along with a series of radiocarbon dates provide the basis for outlining the sequence of human settlement on the island. Initial settlement between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries AD is proposed; there are no strong indications of later prehistoric settlement The island was reoccupied during the first decade of the nineteenth century by sealing gangs, and from about 1825 to 1850 there was a substantial settlement of former sealers, Maori women and their descendants. Some implications for understanding the colonisation history of New Zealand are considered.

 

Keywords: CODFISH ISLAND, SOUTHERN NEW ZEALAND, RADIOCARBON DATES, PREHISTORIC OCCUPATION, NINETEENTH CENTURY SETTLEMENT.

 

1 Department of Anthropology, University of Otago. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand. ian.smith@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

2 Department of Natural History and Archaeology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.

 

Ó Copyright New Zealand Archaeological Association.  

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