T A N E 24, 1978

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE SURVEY OF HEN ISLAND (TARANGA)

by Bruce W. Hayward*, P.R. Moore* and Mary Newman *New Zealand Geological Survey, P.O. Box 30-368, Lower Hutt New Zealand Historic Places Trust, P.O.Box 12-255, Wellington

SUMMARY

Fifty-nine sites are recorded on Hen Island. These include pits, terraces, rock shelters, middens, cultivation sites, artefact find spots and burials. Stone structures on the island are some of the best preserved and most extensive in northern New Zealand. These include stone heaps, rows, free-standing walls, retaining walls, stone-faced scarps and platforms. Most appear to have been built from surface stones cleared from the land to provide cultivation areas.

The archaeological sites suggest that Maori people permanently occupied the island for considerable periods of time. It is also likely that Maoris based on the mainland visited the island periodically to tend the cultivations there.

INTRODUCTION

This paper briefly describes the archaeological sites recorded on Hen Island (Taranga) during a six day visit in August, 1977. The survey was undertaken as part of an Auckland University Field Club "oldies" scientific expedition to study aspects of the island's ecology and prehistory.

Hen Island is the largest of the Hen and Chickens Group and lies some 18km offshore, midway between Little Barrier Island and the Poor Knights Group (Fig. 1). The island (520 hectares) is 5km long by 2km wide with a maximum height of 460m. The main ridge forms an east-west backbone to the island, and along this and several subsidiary ridges there are numerous exposed rocky knolls and pinnacles (Figs 2, 3). On both sides of the main ridge the land slopes steeply away to the sea. High cliffs (up to 150m) form the northern coast, whereas the southern coast consists of numerous small bays with rocky, boulder-strewn beaches.

Most of the island is covered in dense kanuka forest and scrub (Fig. 3) that makes the location and recording of archaeological sites difficult. The western end of the island was surveyed fairly thoroughly, as was the main ridge and embayed coastline. The high valleys and intervening ridges north of the main ridge between The Pinnacles and Astelia Knoll were only partly surveyed (Fig. 1), and further sites probably exist there. High-canopied open taraire forest on the slopes behind the campsite covers extensive artificial stone structures and rock shelters, and detailed studies were undertaken in this area.

Reischek (1930) was perhaps the first to note the archaeological sites on Hen

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Rig. 1. Map of Hen Island showing location of major features and the areas covered during me survey. Insets show the location of Hen Island in northern New Zealand.

Island, during his visits there in 1880 and 1882. Reischek was a compulsive fossicker and artefact collector and was most likely responsible for the early plundering of Hen Island burials. While clambering amongst The Pinnacles, presumably in search of artefacts, Reischek fell and knocked himself uncon­scious for several days. Most of Reischek's New Zealand-wide collection was exported to his home country, Austria.

Marion Wilson's (1956) study is the only previous report on the archaeology of Hen Island. She noted and briefly described many of the sites on the western and central parts of the main ridge, and along the south-western coastline. As Wilson's work was completed before the N.Z. Archaeological Association Site Recording Scheme was introduced, none of her sites were fully recorded or described. This has now been done as we relocated most of her sites. Approximately forty sites are additional to those recorded by Wilson.

Brief comments on some archaeological sites on the island are made by Cochrane (1954) and Chambers (1976).

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OLD MAN ROCK

Fig. 2. Hen Island from the north-west with Stead Bay and Lighthouse Point in the centre foreground. Dragon's Mouth Cove is at the far right of the picture. Note the exposed rocky bluffs forming the highest part of the island around The Pinnacles. The twin peaks of Taranga can be seen on the skyline above Stead Bay. The location of many of the archaeological sites in the area is shown.

THE PINNACLES

Fig. 3. View looking west from Taranga to the northern side of the main ridge. The two highest points are The Pinnacles and the mushroom-shaped rock to the right is Balancing Rock. The location of archaeological sites in this area is shown. Note the dense kanuka scrub cover over this part of the island.

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ANNOTATED LIST OF SITES (Fig. 4)

Site numbers are those of the New Zealand Archaeological Association's Record File. Grid references (e.g. 217687) are from the unpublished map, NZMS1 Sheet N25 parts 7 and 8 (1:15 840).

N25/1 (210690) S T O N E W O R K and T E R R A C E S . Below south end of bluffs, on cliff-top above west end of Great North Bay. Three stone-faced terraces.

N25/2 (210689) PIT, S T O N E W O R K . T E R R A C E S and M I D D E N , O n ridge above and between Wilson and Stead Bays. Stone-faced terrace (16 x 5m) on crest; small terrace on east side with pit (2 x 2m); scattered midden.

N25/3 (211689) S T O N E W O R K , R O C K S H E L T E R and M I D D E N . On cliff-top above western Great North Bay. Large shelter with abundant shell midden over floor; stone retaining wall inside shelter.

N25/4 (212687) R O C K S H E L T E R S and M I D D E N . Around edges of large fluted rocks, on north side of stream behind Stead Bay. Series of rock shelters; many have extensive shell midden.

N25/5 (213688) R O C K S H E L T E R S , T E R R A C E S , F I N D SPOT and M I D D E N . O n west end of Morans Lookout . Series of shelters and terraces with scatter of shell midden; two obsidian flakes found.

N25/6 (212686) S T O N E W O R K , T E R R A C E and M I D D E N . O n south side of valley, 300m behind Stead Bay. Stone-faced terrace (3 x lm) with scattered shell midden 30m downslope.

N25/7 (213686) R O C K S H E L T E R S , F I N D SPOTS and M I D D E N . On south bank of stream, 400m behind Stead Bay. Several rock shelters beneath overhanging bounders; scattered midden; obsidian and argillite found.

N25/8 (212680) S T O N E W O R K , R O C K S H E L T E R S , T E R R A C E S and M I D D E N (Fig. 5). Around bouldery area in small valley, 200m north of Dragon's Mouth Cove campsite. Series of at least seven shelters around boulder edges; associated stone heaps, retaining walls, terraces and much midden.

N25/9 (215678) R O C K S H E L T E R , T E R R A C E and M I D D E N . A t foot of south-west corner of bluff below The Pinnacles. Open shelter (5 x lm) with scattered midden; terrace (5 x 2m) below shelter.

N25/10 (215678) B U R I A L . A t foot of bluff, 80m north-east of N25/9 . Small cave containing bones of one individual.

N25/11 (217678) PIT and T E R R A C E S . On narrow spur, south-west of The Pinnacles. Single pit (3 x 2m) and three small terraces.

N25/12 (218680) T E R R A C E . On saddle between the two high Pinnacles. Large terrace (10 x 4m).

N25/13 (250677) R O C K S H E L T E R , T E R R A C E , F I N D SPOT and M I D D E N . O n north-east side of saddle, 250m west of east end of main ridge. Shelter with scattered midden; terrace above; obsidian core found.

N25/14 (253678) T E R R A C E . O n main ridge, 50m from eastern end. Terrace (20 x 3m).

N25/15 (217687) S T O N E W O R K . O n gentle slopes, 250m south-east of Morans Lookout . Stone heaps, stone rows and a stone-faced terrace cover 2500m area.

N25/16 (221682) S T O N E W O R K and T E R R A C E S . O n slopes, 200m north-east of

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Fig. 4. Location of archaeological sites on Hen Island. Site numbers are those of the New Zealand Archaeological Association on NZMS1 Sheet N25.

back of shelter large boulders; stone piles

0

boulder slopes -small terraces and

stone retaining walls

stone enclosure; stone row; stone heaps

small shelter

retaining wall a ^ f ^ « S £ _ _ terrace t» 30 m

\\ m high retaining wall

Fig. 5. Sketch plan of rock shelters (SI - S6), terraces, stone structures and middens (cross-hatched) of site N25/8. Inset shows detail of stonework within shelter S3.

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The Pinnacles. Stone heaps and a series of elongate terraces (40 x 5m each) cover 5 0 0 0 m 2 area.

N25/17 (233681) S T O N E W O R K . On low ridge, 200m north-east of Baldy. l i v e stone heaps (each 2 x 1.5 x 0.5 m).

N25/18 (233683) S T O N E W O R K . Over gently sloping valley sides, 300m north-east of Baldy. Numerous stone heaps, stone rows, free-standing walls and stone-faced terraces cover 20 000m area.

N25/19 (231682) R O C K S H E L T E R , M I D D E N , T E R R A C E S and H O L E S C U T IN R O C K . On both sides of small stream, 250m north of Baldy. Rock shelter on west bank with 4 x l m dry floor area beneath overhanging boulder; shell scattered over floor; several stone-faced terraces on cast bank; several square holes cut in bedrock of stream (each 0.5 x 0.3m).

N25/20 (230682) S T O N E W O R K and T E R R A C E S . On gentle slopes, 100m north­east of Taranga. Numerous stone heaps, free-standing stone walls and stone-faced terraces cover 10 000m area.

N25/21 (228683) S T O N E W O R K , T E R R A C E S and M I D D E N . O n gentle sheltered slopes, 300m north-north-east of Taranga. Numerous stone heaps and stone rows, and a free-standing stone wall, over eight levels of stone-faced terraces; scattered shell midden.

N25/22 (225682) PITS (Fig. 6). On low, flat-topped knol l in wide basin, 350m west of Taranga. Thirteen closely placed pits, up to l m deep.

N25/23 (222683) T E R R A C E S . O n flat-topped knol l at end of ridge, 500m north-east of The Pinnacles. Three terraces (20 x 4m, 20 x 4m, 4 x 3m) around sides of knol l .

N25/24 (222682) S T O N E W O R K and PITS. On wide flat ridge crest, 400m

Fig, 6. Plan of pit site, N25/22 on small knoll, high on the north side of Hen Island.

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north-east of The Pinnacles. Four pits (three at 5 x 3 x 0.5m, one 6 x 3 x 2m) and two stone heaps.

N25/25 (220679) S T O N E W O R K , T E R R A C E S and F I N D SPOT. On small flat between rocky knolls on main ridge, 200m east of The Pinnacles. Stone heap (1.5 x 1 x 0.6m) on flat ridge crest; two terraces on north side; flake of obsidian found.

N25/26 (220674) M I D D E N . Over flat on west side of stream, 20m behind Sibson Bay. Thickly scattered shell midden.

N25/27 (221673) M I D D E N . On west edge of large, flat-topped spur, 40m a.s.l. at east end of Sibson Bay. Thickly scattered shell midden over 2 0 0 m 2 area.

N25/28 (223673) M I D D E N . On flat between two stream mouths, 30m behind west end of Reischek Bay. Scattered shell midden over 300m 2 area.

N25/29 (225673) M I D D E N . On flat on west side of stream, 30m behind east end of Reischek Bay. Piles of shell midden over 2 0 0 m 2 area.

N25/30 (226672) M I D D E N . O n top of flat point between Reischek and Wahine Bays. Shell scattered over 2 0 0 0 m 2 area.

N25/31 (224673) PITS and M I D D E N . On ridge, 150m behind middle of Reischek Bay. Four indistinct pits (up to 4 x 3 x 0.3m); scattered shell midden over flat crest and slopes.

N25/32 (237679) S T O N E W O R K and T E R R A C E S . On main ridge, 500m west of Astelia Kno l l and 600m cast of Baldy. Wide ridge crest with at least five stone heaps (2 x 2 x 0.5m) and four stone-faced terraces on sides.

N25/33 (244675) M I D D E N . On slopes, 150 - 200m above west end of South East Bay. Shell midden scattered over 9 0 0 m 2 area.

N25/34 (246673) M I D D E N . On gentle slope, 20m above west end of South East Bay. Shell midden scattered over 200m area.

N25/35 (250673) M I D D E N . O n small flat and surrounding slopes, 40m above east end of South East Bay. Scattered shell midden.

N25/36 (253677) R O C K S H E L T E R S , S T O N E W O R K , T E R R A C E S , F I N D SPOT and M I D D E N . Over 100m length of saddle on main ridge, 150m west of east end of ridge. Two rock shelters occur beneath the overhanging edges of large boulders; two stone heaps (2 x 1 x 0.5m) sit on a large cleared flat (15 x 10m) with two terraces (6 x 5m each) to the south-west; shell midden occurs in scattered piles over the flat, terraces, shelter floors and surrounding area; obsidian flake found.

N25/37 (251676) PITS, S T O N E W O R K and T E R R A C E S . On low knol l , 300m west of eastern end of main ridge. Two indistinct pits (each 2.5 x 1.5 x 0.2m) on crest; two small terraces down east side with stone retaining wall between them.

N25/38 (249676) M I D D E N . O n natural terrace, 5m below crest of main ridge on its south side, 500m west of its eastern end. Shell midden scattered over 100m area.

N25/39 (250679) R O C K S H E L T E R and M I D D E N . A t base of cliffs, 100m east of boulder beach at Barefoot Bay. Beneath small cliff overhang with 2m high roof and 4 x 2m dry floor area covered in scattered shell midden.

N25/40 (211692) R O C K S H E L T E R S and M I D D E N . Among large pile of boulders, 30m above west end of Great Nor th Bay. Numerous small shelters under edges and in gaps between the boulders; shell midden scattered on floors.

N25/41 (228674) M I D D E N . On flats and slopes around mouth of main stream at

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Wahine Bay. Thickly scattered shell midden covering 1000m area.

N25/42 (216682) T E R R A C E S and F I N D SPOT. 30m north of base of Balancing Rock. Three elongate terraces (4-5m wide and 10-25m long); single obsidian flake found.

N25/43 (216683) B U R I A L S . In area of rock outcrops and shelters, 120m north-west of Balancing Rock. Two separate burials: bones of at least three individuals in a narrow crevice; bones of at least one individual in a shelter cave between large boulders.

N25/44 (216682) B U R I A L . In rock cleft, north side of Balancing Rock. Bones of at least two adults and a child on two ledges in cleft.

N25/45 (215684) S T O N E W O R K and T E R R A C E S . On main ridge, 30m south-east of Old Man Rock. Two terraces (each 15 x 5m); eight stone heaps (mostly 2 x 2 x 0.5m); two stone rows (largest 7 x 1 x l m ) .

N25/46 (210685) PITS and S T O N E W O R K . On Lighthouse Point saddle, 100m south-east of lighthouse. Four pits (c. 4 x 2.5 x 0.6m) parallel to saddle crest; several pits with stone-faced sides.

N25/47 (209685) PITS, T E R R A C E S , S T O N E W O R K and M I D D E N . O n crest of Lighthouse Point, immediately south-east of Lighthouse. Three pits; five terraces, several with stone-faced scarps behind; shell midden near lowest terrace.

N25/48 (214684) PITS. On flat area adjacent to small ridge crest, 150m north-west of Old Man Rock. Ten pits, all parallel to ridge crest and clustered together (average size 4 x 2.5 x 0.4m).

N25/49 (215682) R O C K S H E L T E R S and M I D D E N . O n south-west-facing slope, 50m below crest of main ridge and 100m north-west of Balancing Rock. Several shelters beneath edges of overhanging boulders; shell midden over floors and slopes below.

N25/50 (216683) PITS, T E R R A C E S and S T O N E W O R K (Fig. 7). O n flat top of high point on main ridge, 100m north of Balancing rock. Four pits (c. 4 x 3 x 0.5m); seven terraces, several with stone-facing.

N25/51 (230680) PIT, T E R R A C E S and M I D D E N . On main ridge saddle between Baldy and Taranga. Single shallow pit; several terraces; scattered shell midden.

N25/52 (231677) M I D D E N . O n south-west facing slope, 300m south of Baldy. Scatter of shell midden.

N25/53 (231680) S T O N E W O R K . O n north-west side of Baldy. 1.5m high and 6m long stone wall forming a near vertical scarp across the only narrow ridge access to the flat top of Baldy.

N25/54 (232678) PITS, T E R R A C E and S T O N E W O R K . On low knoll on main ridge, 250m south-east of Baldy. Three pits (c. 5 x 3 x l m ) side by side; single small terrace with stone-faced scarp behind; two stone heaps.

N25/55 (233677) PITS. On crest of main ridge, 350m south-east of Baldy. Two pits (4 x 2m); recorded by Wilson (1956) but not relocated by us.

N25/56 (241677) S T O N E W O R K . On main ridge, 200m south-east of Astelia K n o l l . Two (20m long, 0.6m wide, 0.2m high) stone walls along either side of ridge crest, 1.5m apart; recorded by Wilson (1956) but not relocated.

N25/57 (240679) S T O N E W O R K . On main ridge on either side of Astelia K n o l l . T w o U-shaped stone structures recorded by Wilson (1956) but not relocated.

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Fig. 7. Plan of pits, stonework and terraces of site N25/50 , on the main ridge north of Balancing Rock. N25/58 (23S678) T E R R A C E S and S T O N E W O R K . O n low knol l on main ridge,

500m west of Astelia Kno l l . Three circular terraces (3m wide) surround a 10m diameter natural platform on knol l ; terraces are separated by l m high stone retaining walls.

N25/59 (211681- S T O N E W O R K , R O C K S H E L T E R S , T E R R A C E S , M I D D E N and 214675) F I N D SPOTS (Fig. 8). Gently sloping area up to 100m a.s.1.

behind Pukanui Bay and Dragon's Mouth Cove. Large area of some 50 000m (5 hectares) covered in a variety of stone structures including free standing walls, stone rows, stone heaps, stone platforms, stone retaining walls and stone-faced scarps; numerous rock shelters under edges of large boulders; shell midden in many places; ten obsidian flakes found.

SITE TYPES

Pa No unequivocal pa sites or ditch and bank defences were located on Hen

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Fig. 8. Plan of stonework structures and other features that cover the gently sloping land behind Pukanui Bay. This area is the southern part of site N25/59 .

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Island. Baldy, an exposed rocky knob surrounded on the north, south and east sides by vertical rock scarps (30-50m high) was, however, very likely a pa. A steep narrow ridge leads up the west side, and half-way up this a 1.5m high, subvertical stone wall (N25/53) has been built across its width. The wall has been so constructed as to create a narrow terrace along its top and on this a palisade may have been erected, effectively blockading the only access to the 50 x 20m flat top of Baldy.

Wilson (1956) suggested that the low terraced knoll (N25/58) on the main ridge west of Astelia Knoll was probably a pa site. This site lacks any visible man-made defences and its natural defences are poor. Other sites, such as the pit-terrace complex (N25/50) north of Balancing Rock and the pits and terraces (N25/47) on Lighthouse Point (Fig. 2) are better endowed with natural defences and are possible, though unlikely, pa sites.

Pits A total of fifty-one pits at twelve different sites were located on the island. In

common with most New Zealand archaeological pit sites, all those on Hen Island occur on flat or gently sloping tops of ridges, spurs or knolls. Ten of the sites contain from one to four pits and most of these are associated with terraces and stonework. Two sites consist of a large cluster of pits — ten pits, arranged tightly together, on a spur north-west of Old Man Rock (N25/48); thirteen pits on a flat-topped knoll west of Taranga (N25/22 - Fig. 6).

All the pits recorded are rectangular in plan and mostly about 3 x 2m and 0.2-1 m deep. The largest pits found are 6 x 3 x 2m (N25/24) and 5 x 5 x lm (N25/22). These pits were most likely the subterranean basal portions of low rectangular buildings used either for food storage or dwellings. It seems probable that the two large clusters of pits were used entirely for the storage of food, possibly of kumara grown in the Hen Island gardens.

These storage structures were usually sited on high points for better drainage, and were often set well back in the bush in inaccessible places, away from possible raiding parties. In more accessible sites, often nearer the shore, where the pits are associated with terraces and midden (e.g. N25/31, 47, 50), some of the pits may have been for storage whereas others were more likely for dwellings. A definite distinction between these two uses is impossible on surface evidence alone.

Cochrane (1954) and Chambers (1976) both believed that the three pits (N25/54) on the main ridge south-east of Baldy, that are at least for part of the year filled with water, were dug by Maoris for use as water-storage ponds. This seems most unlikely as the pits are similar in shape (rectangular) and size, and located in a similar position to other pits on the island. There seems to be no reason for the Maori people to want to store water on Hen Island, as the stream behind Wahine Bay has running water all year round. The pits are not inside a pa or any possible pa, thus precluding their use for emergency water supply during attack. If the Maoris had wanted to store water up near the top of

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the island it is more likely that they would have dug water holes in the small valley just west of the knoll, where water runs for at least part of the year. This they did do it would appear, in the small valley north of Baldy, where square holes have been cut out of the bedrock in the stream.

Terraces Terraces are scattered all over the island. This is undoubtedly due to the

scarcity of natural flat land. Many terraces are associated with rock shelters, pits and midden, having been constructed to provide additional space for occupation. Numerous other terraces are located on slopes, often associated with stone heaps, rows and walls. These presumably were cleared and formed to provide additional cultivation areas. Because of the rocky nature of the ground, the cleared stones were often used to create retaining walls across the lower sides of the terraces or to build stone facing on the scarp behind. The terraces range in size from a meagre 2m 2 to in excess of 200m 2

Stonework Stonework structures are common and occur in greatest concentrations on

the more gentle slopes of the west and north sides of Hen Island. The largest site (N25/59) is on the lower western slopes behind Dragon's Mouth Cove and Pukanui Bay, and covers an area of 5 hectares. A small part of this site was mapped to give an idea of the density and distribution of stone structures (Fig. 8). Many parts of the gently sloping "hanging valleys" high on the northern side of the island are covered in stonework (N25/17, 18, 20, 21). The dense scrub cover and remoteness of this area prevented a thorough survey in the time available and therefore the full extent of these sites was not determined, although they probably occur throughout most of the 30 hectares available.

Elsewhere on the island, stonework is not associated with large sites but occurs as isolated stone walls or heaps, or as stone facing on a few terraces.

Wilson (1956) briefly describes a number of different types of stonework features of Hen Island, including stone-faced scarps, stone heaps and piles, walls and platforms. She also found a star-shaped structure consisting of six walls radiating from a central core, the walls forming level U-shaped enclosures (Wilson 1956, p.53). This structure, and several others she describes were not relocated owing to an absence of detailed directions and grid references in her paper.

All the types of stone structures observed by Wilson were recorded by us, as well as a few additional ones. The classification used here follows Leahy and Nicholls (1964) and Lawlor (1977), who recorded stone structures on the Poor Knights Islands. Leahy and Nicholls (1964, p.101, 107, fig. 3) define seven types: free-standing stone wall, stone retaining wall, stone heap, stone platform, stone-faced terrace, stone row, and single stone alignment. 1. Free-standing stone walls

As defined by Leahy and Nicholls (1964) "these are solidly built, standing

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free of any support from earthworks, and have more or less perpendicular parallel sides". Walls recorded on Hen Island at N25/59 (Fig. 9) are up to 2m wide at the base, and up to 1.2m high. Built of large and small stones, the sides are sometimes faced i.e. the stones have been so placed to form a flat regular side to the wall. 2. Stone retaining walls and stone-faced terraces

Retaining walls for terraces appear to have been built as free-standing walls with earth filled in behind later; stone-faced terraces on the other hand are formed when "stones have apparently been pushed into the face of the scarp" (Leahy and Nicholls 1964). Stone retaining walls are difficult to identify in the field, without excavation to determine their method of construction; however they appear to be more solid and vertically standing than stone-faced terraces. Most of the stonework on Hen Island described as stone facing on terraces is more likely stone retaining walls. They occur on both the front and back scarps of terraces.

Stone retaining walls up to 1.5m high were recorded at N25/59 and one of these is 30m long. Some terraces at this site are stone-faced, with the facing generally made of stones 0.3-0.5m diameter. At N25/59 (Fig. 8) and N25/50 (Fig. 7) retaining walls have been built up between large natural boulders to create an edge to the terrace. 3. Stone heaps

These are the most common stone structure. As on the Poor Knights they are circular to rectangular with a rounded profile. The average size of heaps is 2 x 2m and up to lm high; there are also elongated heaps measuring up to 6 x 3m. Generally they are built of evenly sized stones. Two peculiar features were noted about some heaps at N25/59: one was the practice of occasionally facing one side of the heap; the other was the building of heaps either against or around natural boulders (Fig. 8). 4. Stone platforms

Leahy and Nicholls (1964) call their platforms "bordered stone heaps" describing them as "heaps of stone, bordered on some or all sides by a series of carefully placed larger stones which occasionally rise above the level of the inner flattened heaps of stones. With other examples the large exterior boulders appear to be level with the inner heap of stones." In addition the surface of the platform is flat. Platforms are not a common feature on Hen Island. The largest recorded (at N25/59) measures 9 x 6m and 0.6m high, with a lm wide wall around the edge. The interiors of the platforms appear to be covered with a mixture of small pebbles and soil. 5. Stone rows

These are "elongated heaps of stones" (Leahy and Nicholls 1964, p.101). The rows are not faced and their profile is rounded. A row running parallel to a water-course near the sea in Figure 8 (N25/59) is typical of this type of feature; it is 20m long, 1.5m wide and 0.5m high.

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6. Single stone alignments Only two of these were recorded (both in N25/59) in the area north of

Dragon's Mouth Cove. One of these is unusual, with two rows of stones lm apart, running downslope.

Classification of the individual stone structures is not easy, but is less difficult than the interpretation of the arrangement of the structures. The structures often appear to be haphazardly placed forming no definite patterns; stone heaps were frequently built with little clear space between them. However some heaps and walls at N25/59 had been built to form definite enclosures, either U-shaped or rectangular.

The function of the stonework in larger sites (e.g. N25/15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 59) was probably as a depository for stones cleared from the land to enable gardening. Secondary uses for the specific structures built with the cleared stones probably include the creation of additional flat land and the demarcation of enclosures or plots for gardening. On the Poor Knights Islands, Lawlor (1977, p. 13) found "stone bordered heaps and mounds" in which small test holes revealed equal portions of soil and small pebbles at 0.2m depth. He suggests that "these mounds functioned as gardening features themselves as well as serving as dumps for rubble from the larger terrace gardens". He found that other mounds were made up entirely of rocks and therefore believed that there were "several different types of mounds or heaps, each having different functions". Although none of the structures on Hen Island were tested, we suggest that some are functionally different from others. For example, platforms appeared to be covered with soil and small pebbles and may have had a gardening function.

Isolated stonework associated with other sites, such as rock shelters, pits etc., may not have resulted from the clearing of the land for gardening. These heaps may have been built from stones cleared to provide living space or a building site. Stone retaining walls may have been built solely to construct a terrace to provide additional flat land on an occupation site.

Rock Shelters A minimum of thirty-five rock shelters are recorded from fourteen different

sites on Hen Island. All the sites have shell midden scattered over their floors or have associated terraces or stonework. Numerous additional shelters, or at least overhanging rocks, were seen but lacked evidence of occupation and were therefore not recorded. None of the numerous sheltered clefts around The Pinnacles or Balancing Rock show any evidence of occupation, though several contain human bones suggesting a restricted use for burials.

Four of the recorded shelters (N25/3, 9, 13, 39) occur under overhanging sections of rock bluffs, but the majority were located beneath the edges of large boulders (Fig. 10) or in clefts between them. A large number of the shelters occur on the western slopes of the island where boulders have come to rest after collapsing from the rocky bluffs around the main ridge. Al l the shelters are

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relatively small, mostly with dry floor areas of about 3 x lm (Fig. 10). The largest shelter recorded has a floor area of 10 x 5m.

A sketch plan of one of the biggest shelter sites (N25/8) is shown in Figure 5. The site consists of at least seven individual shelters ranging from 6m 2 to 10s of m 2 in area. Shell and fishbone midden was found within or adjacent to each of the shelters (Table 1); charcoal is particularly common in some (e.g. S4, S6). An interesting stone structure, possibly a cooking area, was found within shelter S3 (Fig. 5, inset).

Middens Midden occurs at over 50% of the recorded sites. The largest and most

extensive middens occur over and around natural flats and terraces along the southern coast of the island. Of these, the largest concentration is on flat-topped points and small terraces within 100m of the boulder beaches at Sibson, Reischek and Wahine Bays (N25/26-31, 41). All are near the mouths of the largest streams on the island. Other areas of extensive, though less concentrated midden occur on flats near the coast behind Pukanui Bay, Lighthouse Bay and Dragon's Mouth Cove (N25/59, 47). Sparsely scattered midden occurs over narrow terraces behind South East Bay (N25/33-35).

The second largest group of middens on Hen Island are those associated with rock shelters. Many of these occur within or adjacent to the numerous shelters on the western slopes of the island behind Wilson, Stead and Lighthouse Bays (N25/3, 4, 5, 7, 49). The only sign of Maori activity on the cliffed northern coast is the scattering of midden over floors of several small shelters (N25/39, 40) behind Great North and Barefoot Bays.

Midden is very sparse along the main backbone ridge and high northern slopes of the island. Very few of the many terrace, pit and stonework sites in this area have any associated midden. Midden above 200m elevation was recorded from only four sites — two are associated with rock shelters on the high western slopes (N25/9, 49) and the other two are sparse shell scatters near the main ridge, high above Wahine Bay. Several large middens are associated with terraces, stonework and rock shelters on the low crest of the main ridge at the very east end of the island between South East and Barefoot Bays.

The middens mostly consist of rocky shore shellfish (Table 1), particularly catseye (Lunella), black Nerita (Nerita), hopetea (Thais), limpets (Cellana), paua (Haliotis), dark rock shell (Haustrum) and Cook's turban shell (Cookia). Other species found occasionally are mussel (Perna), chiton (Eudoxochiton), dark top shell (Melagraphia) and Mayena australasia, and more rarely oyster (Crassostrea) and Protothaca. "Imported species", i.e. those not found around the island today, include pipi (Paphies australis), cockle (Chione), and more rarely tuatua (Paphies subtriangulatum), ostrich foot (Struthiolaria) and speckled whelk (Cominella adspersa). Fish remains analysed from N25/8 consist predominantly of snapper (Chrysophrys auratus), with less common tarakihi (Cheilodactylus macropterus) and crayfish (Jasus edwardsii) (B.F. Leach pers. comm.).

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H I

Location shown on Figure 8.

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The composition of middens is remarkably uniform (Table 1), considering the preferential breakdown of certain species (e.g. Cellana, Haliotis) and the inherent errors in recording, but even allowing for these factors there are some interesting contrasts. For example, middens associated with the large rock shelter site N25/8 mostly contain mussel shell, whereas this species is absent from other middens. Some middens consist almost entirely of one species (e.g. N25/8 S3) or are dominated by species that are rare in other middens (e.g. paua in N25/8).

Well-rounded pebbles and cobbles collected from local beaches were found in many of the rock shelter middens and were probably used as hangi stones.

Table 1. Relative abundance of shellfish species in middens on Hen Island, a - abundant, c = common, u= uncommon. Localities: 1 = N25/5 ; 2 = N25/2 ; 3 = N25 /13 ;4 = N25/29 ; 5 = N25/38; 6 = N25/41 ; 7 = N25/47; 8-12 = N25/8 , shelters S1-S5 (Fig. 5).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1(1 1 1 12 Cellana ornata I I Cellana radians c c c c a ii u u u 11 ti u Chione stuchburyi u 11 u u LI Cominella adspersa ii Cominella virgata ii Cominella viridis u Cookia sulcata u u 11 u u u ii u u u ii Crassostrea glomerata u u Eudoxochiton sp. u 11 11 Haliotis iris u c 11 u u 11 u 11 It u Haliotis viridis u Haustrum haustorium u c 11 u 11 u Lunella smaragda u u 11 c a a u LI Ll Melagraphia aethiops 11 LI u u n Nerita melanotragus c u 11 a a a c 11 a u Notoacmea pileopsis u Paphies australis u u u I I u LI L I I I 11 11 Paphies subtriangulatum 11 II Perna canaliculus 11 u I I 11 Protothaca crassicosta u LI Struthiolaria papulosa LI Thais orbita 11 u u a u 11 11 11 crayfish 11 fish bones 11 II c LI 11 11

Artefacts Remarkably few artefacts were found, and these were mostly obsidian flakes

and cores. No artefacts were found associated with the burials for example, and this probably indicates previous fossicking on the island.

The cores and flakes of obsidian found (Table 2) are green, grey and grey-green in transmitted light, with a predominance of green. The different colours probably indicate different source areas; the green from Mayor Island and the grey most likely from Northland. There are a number of flakes with weathered cortex edges and one nodule of completely unworked grey obsidian,

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Table 2. List of artefacts collected from Hen Island. A l l have been registered under the terms of the Antiquities Act and are now held in the Auckland Institute and Museum.

Artefact Registra- Site number tion No. or location Description

Z465 N25/213681

Z466 N25/5

Z467 N25/7

Z479 N25/25, on terrace

Z480 N25/S9

Z481 N25/42, on edge of terrace.

Z482 N25/215681,not with any site.

Z483 On edge of possible terrace, south-west of Balancing Rock.

Z484 On slopes between Dragon's Mouth Cove and Balancing Rock

Z537 N25/13

One grey-green obsidian flake; one green obsidian flake; one unmodified pebble of clear grey obsidian; two pieces of chert (sinter?)

One grey obsidian flake; one grey-green obsidian flake.

One green, finely banded obsidian flake; one piece water-worn argillite.

One green obsidian flake.

Nine green obsidian flakes, one with weathered cortex edge; one milky grey obsidian Hake with weathered cortex edge.

One green obsidian flake.

One green obsidian flake.

One grey obsidian flake with weathered cortex edge.

One milky grey obsidian core with one weathered cortex edge; one green obsidian flake.

One green obsidian core.

possibly suggesting that the raw material was brought to the island and flakes manufactured there.

The only stone material other than obsidian is a piece of water-worn black argillite from N25/7 and two pieces of poor quality chert (sinter?) from N25/213681. Both rock types could have been obtained from local beaches or from the Chickens Islands nearby. It is interesting to note the apparent absence of chert flakes from any of the sites, considering the common pebbles present in Dragon's Mouth Cove.

Burials Four burial sites were located on Hen Island (N25/10, 43 (two), 44). All

occur in narrow clefts or cave shelters amongst the rocky bluffs that form the highest part of the island (around The Pinnacles and Balancing Rock - Figs 2, 3). High, rocky situations such as these constituted favourite Maori burial grounds in many parts of the country and the Hen Island localities are no exception, although actual sites have seldom been located in recent years (Wilson 1956, Chambers 1976). Undoubtedly many of the sites have been disturbed and

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those recorded probably form a small percentage of the original number present. The recognisable human bones were mostly skulls, jaws, pelvises, and limb bones, usually arranged on ledges. The bones of a minimum of eight individuals were recorded and left undisturbed.

DISCUSSION

These archaeological sites tell us something about the activities of pre-European Maoris on Hen Island. The most outstanding archaeological feature is the extensive stonework — a rare site type on mainland Northland and Auckland.. The large stonework sites were undoubtedly used for cultivation and indicate the attraction Hen Island must have been for its horticultural potential. The climate of northern offshore islands is more favourable than the mainland for growing of kumara, as the islands seldom get frosts. The distribution of the extensive stonework sites indicates that the more sunny northern and western sides of the island were mainly cultivated, although we cannot discount the possibility that the large, flat and relatively rock-free areas on the south side behind Sibson and Reischek Bays were not also used. Although less sunny, these southern flats have the best water supply on the island and are associated with the largest middens.

Many of the other sites on the island were possibly associated with gardening activities. Most of the pit sites were probably used for the storage of harvested crops. The two largest clusters of pits (N25/22, 48) occur on well-drained ridges close to the two main areas of stonework. Many of the rock shelters, middens and find spots occur close to the gardening areas on the lower western slopes.

The overall distribution of archaeological sites suggests that the areas receiving greatest use were the lower levels of the south-western slopes behind the most sheltered landing beaches, from Wilson Bay to Wahine Bay. Sites behind the more exposed northern and eastern bays are very minor. A number of sites occur on the western end of the main ridge from Balancing Rock northwards. Most of these appear to be storage sites, shelters and small gardening plots associated with the larger cultivation areas on the lower western slopes.

A cluster of occupation sites (rock shelters, middens, small terraces and pits) occur on the eastern extremity of the main ridge between Barefoot and South East Bays. These have good natural defences but must have had problems with access and water. These are the only sites oh Hen Island that do not appear to be associated with extensive cultivation areas.

The second largest group of sites on the island occurs in the high, gently sloping northern valleys and on the main ridge behind. As previously mentioned, the most extensive gardening areas are located here and the pit sites on the surrounding ridges are interpreted as being mostly for storage.

Speculation based on the archaeological sites found on Hen Island leads us to believe that there was a permanent, year-round population living there for some period or periods in pre-European time. We can see no reason why the island's

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forest and marine resources, supplemented by the large cultivations, could not support a permanent population of less than 100 people. A similar conclusion has been reached by Lawlor (1977, p.2), who thinks there could also have been a permanent population on the Poor Knights Islands. If there was a permanent population then the absence of defended sites (other than Baldy) is somewhat puzzling. This could indicate that the island was mostly occupied in very early times, before the major pa building period. Perhaps the location of pit sites and some of the smaller cultivation sites in high, rather inaccessible places on the island was a defensive tactic.

Contact with the mainland may have been an important factor in the island's settlement. There is definite evidence of contact through the presence of mainland shellfish remains in many of the middens. Several possibilities can be suggested. For example, while a small permanent population occupied the island year-round, mainlanders could have assisted the population during the gardening season. Alternatively the permanent population may have occupied the island for only limited periods in the island's history, and at other times, Maoris based on the mainland may have gone across to tend their crops during planting and harvesting.

A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S

We would like to thank all the members of the Hen Island party for their active interest and assistance in locating sites, especially Ms Gil l ian Puch for help in field recording and measuring. We are also grateful to Dr Foss Leach, Otago University, for identifying fish bone material, and Mr Ian Keyes, N . Z . Geological Survey, for reading the manuscript and suggesting improvements.

R E F E R E N C E S

Chambers, S. 1976: More on Hen Island. New Zealand Farmer, April 22nd: 71. Cochrane, G .R . 1954: Notes on Taranga (Hen Island). Tane 6: 20-25. Lawlor, I.T. 1977: A n archaeological survey of Aorangi Island (Poor Knights Islands).

Unpublished report, Anthropology Department, University of Auckland. Leahy, A . & Nicholls, M . 1964: The Poor Knights Islands. N.Z. Archaeological Association

Newsletter 7(2): 99-109. Reischek, A . 1930: "Yesterdays in Maoriland". Whitcombe and Tombs, New Zealand.

312pp. Wilson, M . 1956: Field archaeological observations on Taranga. Tane 7: 52-55.

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