Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon

    Overview

    Critical evaluation of current issues in the archaeology of New Zealand’s past.

    This paper offers original archaeological insights into the origins, development, and identities of the Indigenous peoples of the New Zealand archipelago, through to interactions with later colonists.

    The course considers when, where, and how Polynesians first transferred tropical plants, animals and technologies into the colder lands of Polynesia’s southernmost habitable island group. The impacts of those transfers on the archipelago’s native fauna and flora are described and assessed. We then explore the development of Indigenous Māori and Moriori societies, material culture, economy, ideology, patterns of settlement and exchange. Case studies examine archaeological evidence from the subtropical or warm temperate far north to the subpolar far south of Aotearoa New Zealand. Evidence is also reviewed from the offshore, eastern Rēkohu (Chatham Islands) group where a distinctive Moriori culture and people emerged.

    Changes in Indigenous culture, society and economy are examined into the interactions of early European contact and British colonisation. The postcolonial situation of archaeology in New Zealand is considered around the nation’s founding document, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, as is the relationship between archaeology and Indigenous knowledge (mātauranga/mātauraka).

    About this paper

    Paper title Advanced New Zealand Archaeology
    Subject Anthropology
    EFTS 0.2500
    Points 30 points
    Teaching period(s) Semester 1 (Distance learning)
    Semester 1 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $2,704.75
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Prerequisite
    72 300-level ARCH or ANTH points
    Restriction
    ARCH 304, ANTH 330
    Limited to
    MArchP
    Notes
    May not be credited together with ANTH309 passed in 2011 or 2012.
    Contact

    Professor Ian Barber

    Teaching staff

    Co-ordinator: Professor Ian Barber

    Contributing Lecturers:

    Paper Structure

    Primary themes:

    • Archaeology of the first New Zealanders, including the emergence of Indigenous Māori and Moriori peoples across varied and changing island landscapes
    • Archaeology of Indigenous and other settler peoples in New Zealand from the late eighteenth century.
    Teaching Arrangements

    The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught remotely.

    Textbooks

    Furey, L. & Holdaway, S.J. (ed.) 2004. Change Through Time: 50 years of New Zealand Archaeology. NZAA Monograph 26.

    Smith, I.W.G. 2020. Pākehā Settlements in a Māori World: New Zealand Archaeology, 1769–1860. Wellington, Bridget
    Williams Books [Ebook, available through library].

    Course outline
    Will be available on Blackboard at the beginning of the course.
    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Cultural understanding, Ethics, Research.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    On completion of this paper students will gain:

    • Subject knowledge of core issues and case studies in New Zealand archaeology
    • Improved understanding of the processes, impacts, interactions and identities associated with the human colonisation of New Zealand
    • A new appreciation and understanding of current specialist analysis in New Zealand archaeological research

    Timetable

    Semester 1

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught through Distance Learning
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Semester 1

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Monday 12:00-12:50 9-16, 18-22
    Tuesday 09:00-09:50 9-16, 18-22

    Practical

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend one stream from
    A1 Tuesday 10:00-11:50 11, 13, 15, 18
    A2 Thursday 12:00-13:50 11, 13, 15, 18
    A3 Friday 13:00-14:50 11, 13, 15, 18
    Back to top