DISCOVERY IN SWAMP.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17128, 25 April 1921, Page 9

DISCOVERY IN SWAMP.

WORK OF PRE-MAORI DAYS. An important addition has just been made to the Maori collections of tlio Auckland Museum in tho shape of the carved lintel of a house. The workmanship differs widely from that .of any other specimen in the museum, and, so far as is known, cannot be matched in any other collection in New Zealand. The carving (says the "Herold") was discovered in digging a drain at Pukepoto, about half-way between Kaitaia and Ahipara. It was unearthed at a depth of.sft, where it was resting in a bed of peat. The lintel is nearly Bft in length, and has in its centre the representation of, iphuman figure, showing a broad wedgeshaped head with projecting ears, small broad nose, and large oval mouth with small tongue. The body is small, short, and squat—in fact, the stout five-toed legs appear /to almost spring out of the base of the head.' The outstretched hands of the human figure rest upon a perforated framework, spreading- right and left, the extreme ends of which terminate in the head of a Saurian-like creature, resembling in some respects the "manaia" of the Maoris, but carved in an entirely different manner. At tho foot of the carving is a broad slab, evidently intended to form the top of the doorway, and supplied with the usual square holes to carry tho lashings. ' It is highly remarkable that the carving shows such a small resemblance to ordinary Maori work. On the contrary, it gives the impression of Melanesiah influence, dating 'back to pre-Maon times. But much enquiry and many comparisons will be required before a tenable theory can be offered that will explain its origin, and can give a clue to ,tl»B history of the people who made it. In the meantime it can safely be said that no wood-carving of any size has been found in New Zealand that offers so many problems for discussion. The Auckland Museum is indebted .to Mr D. W. Wilson, of Kaitaia, for information respecting the find, and to •Mr J. T. Clark for entering into negotiations which have resulted in the purchase of tho carving for the museum. "I look upon this is one of the most important finds of recent years," said Mr T. F. Cheeseman, curator of the museum, "and if proper investigation were made under scientific direction, important discoveries might bo made as to the people of the period." The find was made during the excavation of an ancient drain, a reaulati series of which haß been revealed by the subsidence of tho level of tho Awantii Swamp between Kaitaia and the west const, as a result of recent drainage. Miles of thoso ancient drains have come into view, They appear to have been about. sft deep, and sft wide at the ton. This is not the first time that the subsidence.of peat during the drainage of stfflraps lias revealed drains and other irregularities in the surface of the original level.. Some time ago what are believed to be ancient drains became visible on newly-drained, land near Dargaville, and also oh tho Hauraki Plains. One of the more important discoveries of the kind was made at Pajtetonga. As the peat suhsided a hillock *came into view, and on it was found the charred remains of a Maori pa, in which some valuablo specimens were obtained.

The authorities havo not yet come to any decision as to the class of wood out of which tho newly-discovered lintel was carved. Microscopic examination will be necssary, owing to the fact that the appearance of Avood changes through being submerged in a swamp for a long period. One of a party who viewed the specimen in the museum remarked that it uas so unlike Maori .work that it might have been made by some "faker." "You can discard that theory," remarked an authority, "because there is no artist in Now: Zealand who could < make such a unique and artistic piece." The theory, however, had not been made seriously.