This cache of three adzes was a joy to find—a truly breathtaking moment! Somewhere between Mapua and Motueka, a small residential project produced these amazing artefacts and a number of other occupational evidence, such as umu (oven) and charcoal-stained sand layers.

One of the adzes is especially beautiful. It is perfectly crafted and polished and appears to be in pristine condition, never used for work. Due to its large size – 39 cm and weight of 3.3 kg, it is not really a practical tool but more of an item with ceremonial purposes.

The three adzes are Type 1A (with lugs), Type 1A (standard) and Type 4A (hog-backed) according to Duff typology.

All three adzes have their exact parallels in Moa hunter sites like Wairau Bar, Hurunui and Rakaia. The large adze Type 1A (with lugs) has exact parallels in the Polynesian material culture around the Pacific Ocean, namely in French Polynesia, Pitcairn Island and Rarotonga. This adze is made from local stone sourced from the Nelson area, but while making it, the people still vividly remember their connections with islands far away in the Pacific and the way adzes were produced there. These people were probably the first or second-generation Polynesian settlers. After this, the shape and type of the adzes changes. Based on this, we can set the production date of the large adze around 1300-1350 AD. The other two adzes are from the same Moa-Hunter era, proven with many parallels across Te Waipounamu.

This finding created a positive buzz amongst Tangata Whenua tribes in Te Tau Ihu (The Top of the South) region, and it was an absolute privilege for me to find, handle and research these amazing artefacts!

Top left: Angel Trendafilov and John Katene (iwi monitor from Ārewa) with the artefacts. Bottom left: On site after the find. Right: The three artefacts. Photo scales – red and white 100 mm increments.

I was very lucky to help Bronwynn Billens (Manawhenua ki Mohua) gather flax and prepare it for weaving. I was amazed how fast Bronwynn produced a beautiful product. Her works are displayed in Auckland and Te Papa Museum gift shops and are always in high demand. I am uploading a short video of her mahi. Respect!

It was my privilege to spend some time with Hilary Barry from TVNZ Seven Sharp and show her around while chatting about archaeology, history and the price of the veggies! Hilary, you are a Legend, see you at 7.00 pm!

A project in Christchurch CBD with Angel Trendafilov as an s.45 archaeologist revealed an intriguing feature: a brick well from the 1860s filled with domestic rubbish from the era: bottles, plates, smoking pipes, shirt buttons, candle holders and much more. A wish well for an archaeologist!

This is one of the biggest projects for 2023, where Angel Trendafilov was involved as a s.45 archaeologist. The Pōhara Rising Main project required the excavation of a 1.5 km long trench through the township and the valley of Pōhara. The average depth of the trench was 1.7 m and revealed an abundance of midden deposits, ovens, post holes and occupational layers. In total, 51 archaeological features were recorded, and some of them were large! (see photo below). The report is underway!

I had the privilege to join a team of very skillful carvers in Motueka and help them with their mahi. Although my carving skills are very questionable, I was encouraged by Tohunga Kaiwhakaiiro (Master Carver), kaumātua John Mutu and young carvers Ronie and Hayden. I am very proud that one tiny part of this traditional whakairo (carving) was done by me. Also, we had the company of Hori Kahukura from Te Arahanga and Syd Eru from Manawhenua ki Mohua. Both are experienced cultural monitors with vast knowledge about Tikanga Māori and tales and stories about tangata whenua. Working with them on archaeological sites or spending time off work together while fishing, exploring, or just chilling with a box of beers is always an absolute pleasure. It was an amazing sunny day in beautiful Motueka, Ngā mihi nui e hoa mā!

Link to short video from this day: https://youtu.be/SfqxgVlV_Xc

Angel’s Archaeology has been busy during 2021-2022 with projects big and small within the beautiful South Island. Christchurch, Kaikoura, Rakaia, Woodend and Mapua produced interesting residential and commercial sites for archaeological assessments and fieldwork; the work is still ongoing. The installation of Ultra Fast Broadband (Fibre) in Mohua (Golden Bay) for Chorus is one bigger project where Angel Trenfdafilov was involved as Project archaeologist for Pohara and Tata Beach and Section 45 archaeologist for Collingwood. The work is still ongoing for another few months. Amazing Māori archaeology exposed so far from both sides of Takaka Hill (check Photos). Pieces of evidence from the Gold Rush in Collingwood (1850-1860s) are also a possibility in the near future. The collaboration with Manawhenua Ki Mohua (in Golden Bay) and Te Arahanga (Mapua) is fantastic, and it is always a pleasure to work with their experienced and knowledgeable cultural monitors on site. 2022 will be an exciting year with projects already aligned, so watch this space from time to time!

Even the simple brick can be very interesting source of information! Angel is happy to offer his help to the Scottish bricks enthusiast society to trace the routes of these often overlooked artefacts.

Starworks bricks found in New Zealand

An article in the Australian Society for Historical Archaeology website highlights some interesting artefacts found during the excavations for the new Convention Centre in Christchurch, where Angel Trendafilov was the project archaeologist.

http://www.asha.org.au/news/aotm-christchurch-ceramics