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A scientific dig along the south Wairarapa coast could fill in come gaps about Māori occupation of the area.
The main purpose of the multi-site project is to date past earthquakes and tsunami to give better understanding of the risks facing the greater Wellington region.
GNS Science earthquake geologist and project lead, Dr Nicola Litchfield, says as they dig pits the scientists will look for shellfish that died in each event.
By carbon-dating those shells they can determine when those earthquakes occurred.
She says the scientists are working with iwi to identify past earthquakes.
The 8.2 magnitude Wairarapa earthquake in 1885 generated a 11 metre tsunami which may have led to Māori abandoning their settlements in the area.
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