June 17, 2013
Koiwi found at Whakatane hospital site
Archaeologists have found the skeleton of a woman at the site of extensions to Whakatane Hospital.
They believe the koiwi is between 300 and 500 years old and is of a woman aged in her 50s or 60s.
Pouroto Ngaropo, a Ngāti Awa senior cultural advisor, says obsidian flakes, hangi and crop storage pits and a broken adze were also found, confirming the site was Te Marakai of Taiwhakaea or Taiwhakaea’s garden.
He says in line with tradition it’s likely the skeleton was buried as the mauri of the garden.
The koiwi will be re-interred at Ohuirehe Urupa in Taiwhakaea, along with a skull found nearby in March.
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