This page is mainly
about New Zealand archaeology. It's got some good archaeological links for New Zealand and
this part of the world, some papers I have written but not published and a bibliography of
the ones I have. The Blog below is some personal observations which I might make
from time to time.
Archaeology in New
Zealand is practiced in respect of the Maori (Polynesian) occupation of New Zealand
(including the Kermadec Islands to the north and Chatham Islands in the east), starting
perhaps 800 years ago, but also in respect of historic sites left by more recent
visitors and immigrants, European and Chinese, since 1800 AD, looking at settlements and
sealing, whaling and mining industries.
New Zealand archaeology
relates particularly to New Zealand of course, but archaeologists based here also work in
Polynesia, the rest of Oceania, particularly on Polynesian origins and also in South East
Asia - particularly Thailand.
There is also some research on historic sites in Antarctica. There are close professional
relationships with Australian archaeologists and a quite a few there have come from here,
but little research is conducted across the Tasman Sea in either direction.
BLOG:
Saturday, 1 November 2008
The Awa Book of New Zealand Science. Edited Rebecca Priestley, 2008, The Awa Press.
What a great book – extracts from papers and writing about science from through our history, embellished by some relevant pieces of our poetry. Of course much of the material is largely of local interest – the pieces by the likes Cockayne, Cotton, Guthrie-Smith will resonate with New Zealanders but less for people away from here. They are well chosen – Priestley has a good eye for what is readable as well as significant. For archaeologists the pieces by Rafter and Adds connect us to the bigger picture.
It is the bringing together here of the international contributions that is not often done. If one puts together the pieces by Rutherford and Marsden on the discovery of the atom’s nucleus, Tinsley on the nature of the universe, Wilkins on DNA, and Alan Wilson (with Rebecca Cann) on our recent African Genesis this is an astonishing contribution to knowledge of the fundamentals of our world and ourselves. The diaspora of New Zealand trained scientists has been a large one, and still is. Inevitably much of their work will be done away from here, but we can take some of the credit. For a country that does not often celebrate its achievements in science this is a little strange.
Priestley celebrates our science. All strength to her.
Footnote - in 2009 the Royal Society gave this book an inagural science writing award - well deserved.
My interests include:
C14 dating, numerical taxonomy, social implications of spatial patterning in sites and
landscapes, site protection in development projects and museums.
Site of the day - 29 Jan 2001
And 28 Aug 2002
|
Auckland, August 1908: A Stop on the Great White
Fleet World Cruise
By: Garry
Law
Get it Here
Good NZ Stuff
Mine:
Other Stuff
Newsgroups:
Auckland
Australia
Others
Favourite
Place
|
Welcome to
Garry Law's:
