The prehistoric exploitation and knowledge of geological resources in Southern Wairarapa.

Abstract

(…) This thesis explores the use of the local and eternal geological environments by small groups of people living on the east coast of Palliser Bay, in southern Wairarapa. The rock types recovered from the archaeological sites in this area were identified and attempts made to pinpoint their sources. The resulting information was used to suggest the nature of the exploitation and to extrapolate possible inter-group relationships through time. The implicit objective of the study was to demonstrate the breadth of the knowledge of their geological surroundings possessed by the Palliser Bay people. [Extract from Introduction]