Wairau Bar, Archaeological settlement at Wairau River delta, New Zealand
The 19-hectare gravel bar stretches 1.1 kilometers in length where the Wairau River meets Cloudy Bay on New Zealand's South Island.
Initial settlement of the area occurred around 1280 when East Polynesian explorers established a village, making it among New Zealand's earliest human settlements.
The excavation of 44 human skeletons and 2,000 artifacts at the site reveals early Māori burial practices and connections to eastern Polynesian traditions.
The protected archaeological area requires official permissions for research activities and can be accessed through organized educational tours with specialists.
DNA analysis of remains indicates the founding population consisted of hundreds of individuals, substantially larger than researchers previously estimated.
GPS coordinates: -41.53000,174.09000
Latest update: March 10, 2025 07:58
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