HISTORIC SEARCH: Lynda Walters and her team of archaeologists will be excavating sites at the Gate Pa Historic Reserve in coming days.PHOTO/JOHN BORREN
HISTORIC SEARCH: Lynda Walters and her team of archaeologists will be excavating sites at the Gate Pa Historic Reserve in coming days.PHOTO/JOHN BORREN
Ammunition casings are among the historic finds archaeologists may discover at the Gate Pa Historic Reserve.
A team of archaeologists are spending the next few days excavating sites alongside Cameron Rd where eight commemorative pou (carved pillars) will be erected for the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gate Pa.
Lynda Walter, archaeologist and director of Insitu Heritage, said most of the fortifications that sat on the hill next to Mitre 10 Mega 150 years ago had been destroyed but in some places they were still intact buried under layers of soil.
The Historic Places Act required all historic sites to be excavated before any work was undertaken, Ms Walter said.
Her team would be excavating 1m by 1m sections over the next three or four days. The time frame was hard to determine as the archaeologists would keep digging until they were sure they had reached undisturbed soil.
Ms Walter said it was possible she would find spent ammunition at the site, which flanked the historic pa.
"It's part of the battle field but not part of the fortification itself. After the battle, the site was filled in then occupied by Imperial troops, we expect to find that sequence of construction."
Ngai Tamarawaho hapu representative and Pukehinahina Trust trustee Peri Kohu was also at the site.
Mr Kohu said the pou to be erected along the roadside would be carved to represent the hapu that fought in the battle. A pillar would also be carved to represent pakeha soldiers.
Tauranga City Council project manager Allan Sizemore said the council was funding the archaeologists and the pou were being paid for by iwi. Another memorial project is planned for the site to be completed in time for the commemoration on April 29.
Battle of Gate Pa - The defences at Pukehinahina (Gate Pa) were designed by Pene Taka Tuaia - The pa made use of anti-artillery bunkers and its concealed trenches lulled the British into a false sense of security when they stormed it. - On April 29, 1864, the pa was bombarded for eight hours by 110- and 40-pounder Armstrong guns and 24-pounder howitzers. - o more than 15 Maori were killed by shellfire 35 British were killed. - The only woman at the pa, Heni Te Kiri Karamu, heard the cries of the dying Lieutenant-Colonel Booth and several other wounded soldiers and took them water which she poured into her hands for them to drink from.
