Working in archaeology here in New Zealand we most often encounter the material remains of Māori settlement and colonisation by the British Empire in the 19th century. Groups such as the New Zealand Company and the Canterbury Association laid out … Continue reading →
Training and working as an archaeologist can be an interesting experience, not just because of the work we do, but thanks to the preconceptions and opinions of the people around us. Like so many other professions, archaeology is an extremely … Continue reading →
Recording standing structures not only involves architectural drawings and photography, but can also be quite destructive. In an attempt to modernise an old house owners will often cover “old fashioned” features with new materials, plasterboard being the chief culprit. So, … Continue readin...
Continuing on from last week’s blog, today’s post takes a look (or a sniff, if you will) at the aromas of everyday life inside a Victorian house. Smell is such an intrinsic part of human life, yet so fleeting that it … Continue reading →
As archaeologists we almost exclusively describe and interpret the physical evidence of past human activity in visual terms, through maps, photos, and descriptions of what the archaeological features or artefacts look like. Although this makes perfect sense, lately I’ve come … Continue read...
Today for your viewing pleasure, we present a selection of interesting, unusual and aesthetically pleasing ceramics from Christchurch sites. Enjoy! Jessie Garland References Adamson, J. & Bader, H-D. 2008. Archaeological Excavation Report on the Street Homestead, Penrod Drive, Bell Block, ...
Over the last few weeks, we’ve been excavating a site in the CBD that’s yielded some of the most interesting artefacts we’ve see for a while. So, today on the blog, we’ve selected a few of these fascinating things for … Continue reading →
Money, as Liza Minnelli has told us, makes the world go around. It is such an intricate and constant part of the societies we live in, a factor upon which so many of our actions – collectively and individually – are … Continue reading →
Taking a break from our recent musings on society, smells and legacies, this week’s post features another selection of artefacts from the archives. All of these were found on the same site in Christchurch’s central business district over the last … Continue reading →
Over the last few weeks, as archaeologists do, I’ve found myself thinking about the physical legacies people leave behind them. In particular, I’ve been thinking about the contrast between the monumental (buildings, in this case) and the artefactual and how, … Continue reading →
The idea of a ‘souvenir’, as a physical keepsake of a place or event, is not a new concept. It’s been around for as long as people have been bringing home exotic treasures from far-off lands, or trying to preserve … Continue reading →
Imagine, if you will, that you were born in 1870. Your parents are colonists who journeyed to Christchurch to build a new life for themselves and their family. They’re not rich, but you live comfortably enough in this new country. … Continue reading →
Summary of oral history interview with Krystal about her experiences of the Canterbury earthquakes.
Summary of oral history interview with Michelle about her experiences of the Canterbury earthquakes.
Summary of oral history interview with Emily about her experiences of the Canterbury earthquakes.
Summary of oral history interview with Alice Ridley about her experiences of the Canterbury earthquakes.
Summary of oral history interview with Ella about her experiences of the Canterbury earthquakes.
Summary of oral history interview with June Tiopira about her experiences of the Canterbury earthquakes.
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 2 May 2014
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 28 March 2014
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 4 April 2014
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 7 February 2014
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 21 February 2014
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 28 February 2014
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 11 April 2014
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 7 March 2014
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 17 January 2014
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 13 June 2014
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 9 May 2014
A copy of the CanCERN online newsletter published on 16 May 2014