Day seven, where to begin? It was our day off! It had been a hard seven days of wind, scorching sun and excavation on Tamewhera but now it was time to have a day off to see the beauty and the archaeological sites of Great Mercury Island. Although, despite the amazing descriptions given to the students about the beaches, views and the different pa the most excitement was when we were told that there was going to be a sleep in till 7.30am.
7.30 came way too fast as usual and before we knew it we were fed, watered (and coffeed!) and it was time to leave for our guided ramble of the tombolo (which is the flat piece of land that joins the north and the south ends of the island). With an air of excitement and curiosity we set off on our journey of the centre point of the island.
Our first stops were the old excavations of a garden terrace and an occupation site on the beach that were completed in the 2012 field school. Next on the tour was looking at the 2013 field school excavation sites; one of which was on the beach and the other on top of Stingray Point ridge. From there we were taken on to Stingray Point pa to see the terracing and other modifications but also where archaeologist Jack Golson undertook one of the first academic digs in New Zealand in 1954.
Photo from eastern side of Stingray Point pa
across the tombolo to Motutaupiri Point pa
The next stop was up and over a ‘hill’ down into one of the more recent excavations at Te Mataku where there have been many faunal, lithic and occupation finds. On Great Mercury Island most of the excavations are undertaken because the archaeology is at risk of being eroded away and if they are not excavated the information that could have been gained about the history of the island would be lost. Te Mataku is no different and what supports this is the amount that the beach landscape had changed from the time that we first knew about the site and when we visited the site today.
View down to Te Mataku
The last stop on the tour was Motutaupiri Point pa which was also up a large ‘hill’ and down another eroding hillside. The walk along the beach to the pa was a relaxing change where some decided to do away with their boots and socks for the feel of sand and water between their toes. Sadly another climb up a ‘hill’ was required to get to the top of the pa but the view was well worth it. The first sight we saw as we reached the summit of Motutaupiri Point pa was the sun reflecting off the Pacific Ocean right to the horizon.
View from the top of Motutaupiri Point pa
View down into one of the bays from Motutaupiri Point pa
We took in the view and ventured to the edge of the pa, which incidentally had steep drops down to the crashing waves on all sides. It truly was amazing to stand there and see the 360 degree view of the ocean then across the tombolo to Stingray Point pa.
View from the top of Motutaupiri Point pa across the tombolo to Stingray Point Pa
On the top of Motutaupiri Point pa was a sight to behold but there were a few hungry and grumbly tummies that needed to be fed so the descent off the pa began followed by a flatter walk across the tombolo to the shearers’ quarters for food. It was also important that the lecturers were back at the shearers’ quarters by midday so that they could be on time to pick up the new additions to the UoA GMI family; Liam, Louise and Nick as well as more supplies for the week to come.
The afternoon was rather relaxed and people spent it swimming, reading or baking. A few people got together to bake two carrot cakes, two banana loaves, two batches of ANZAC biscuits and some Afghans to the delight of everyone.
It was a brilliant but tiring day however it was worth it with the beautiful views, the knowledge that was shared and the realisation that this place has been used for hundreds of years. At the end of the day we all fell into bed with a sigh of relief and the question of what we might find tomorrow when we resumed excavation on the terraces of Tamewhera.
– Bailey