Excavations at Whitipirorua, T12/16, Coromandel Peninsula Journal Paper
- Author
- Furey, L.
- Year
- 1991
- Journal / Source
- Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum
- Volume
- 28
- Pages
- 1-32
- Summary
- Excavations at Whitipirorua, or Onemana, were carried out in 1986 and 1988, providing information to enable the large collection of artefacts previously recovered from the site to be put into an archaeological perspective. An early or Archaic beach midden, the site has three distinct periods of occupation. Radiocarbon age estimates indicate that occupation occurred in the 14th and 15th centuries. Shell midden, firescoops, postholes and a pit were found. Midden remains were typical of a Coromandel Peninsula Archaic site. Local stone materials of chert and obsidian were utilised along with imported obsidian and basalt. Artefacts were scarce in the excavated area. Whitipirorua is interpreted as a large occupation site, tending to the more permanently occupied end of the settlement pattern spectrum.