early-contact

Nine green fold-out chairs are circled around a patch of earth on a grey tarpoline. There are trays on several of the chairs with earth in some of the sections, and there are circular wooden trays, like goldmining trays on the ground.

Can you dig it? Exploring an archaeological rabbit hole

Earlier this year, Te Waipounamu iwi Kāi Tahu invited a group of its iwi members to join with Archaeology students from Otago University to take part in their first hands-on dig in Moeraki. Te Papa Host and Assistant Visitor Services Manager Robbie Titchener was on that dig and shares some of the experiences here. Read more

By: Robbie Titchener

On: 24 Dec 2025

In: Behind the scenes, Science