New Zealand Journal of Archaeology Index  >  Vol 27 Witter

 

NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY ISSN 0110~540X ABSTRACT

 

 

Greywacke Stone Artefacts on the

Canterbury Coast, New Zealand

 

Dan Witter1

 

ABSTRACT

Large oval flakes made from greywacke beach cobbles and their cores are

conspicuous on the south Canterbury coast. Replication trials show that the main

method of flake production was to strike the cobble end-on against an anvil. This is

an unusual technique and is termed here the ‘mass impact’ method.

An archaeological site 4 km east of the Rakaia River mouth with greywacke

assemblages was discovered during an archaeological assessment survey. It contained

five artefact clusters where impact flakes had been transported and discarded. In

addition there was found a workshop with cores and flakes (including conjoins) and

anvils associated with an oven. These features were analysed using a reduction chart,

which shows there were at least two distinct flake assemblage types as well as the

workshop. The site has logistical and functional implications, although the landscape

has been considerably altered by coastal cutting.

 

Keywords: CANTERBURY COAST, RAKAIA RIVER, STONE TECHNOLOGY,

REDUCTION CHART, GREYWACKE, TESHOA.

1Witter Archaeology, Taumutu, RD 3, Leeston

Ó Copyright New Zealand Archaeological Association.

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