ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY Forty Wellington archaeologists spent their holidays in January working in the Wanganui area on ancient pa sites, among them the fortress of Tarata. The expedition, under the direction of the assistant ethnologist of the Dominion Museum (Mr D. C. Smart) was trying to learn more about early Maori culture. In earlier excavations on the site of Tarata last summer and winter, the archaeologists have already discovered interesting features in this ancient stronghold, which has unusually-shaped food pits and house sites, plus the main entrance to the pa. The entrance ramp was specially constructed of earth instead of the Maoris choosing a natural feature for the purpose. It was the only way of approach to the pa and was built narrow, so that only a few attackers at a time could assault the entrance. This feature is still largely preserved and above ground. Much of the remainder of the pa is within a few inches of the grass on the crest of a hill overlooking the Waitotara Valley.
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Te Ao Hou, March 1961, Page 62
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169ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY Te Ao Hou, March 1961, Page 62
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