Abstract
A small salvage excavation within the Taiaroa Head Royal Albatross colony in 1972 brought to light artefacts and economic evidence similar to that from other Classic Māori sites of eastern Otago. This evidence constitutes a cultural complex characteristic of Ngāi Tahu occupation, traditionally of northern origin. Although many artefact forms are different from Archaic types, it is shown that exploitation of fish and birds adheres strongly to the Archaic pattern of intensive use of only five fish species and of non‐selective birding, involving the taking of many species of birds, including albatrosses, in small numbers.