Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga

Very large Māori earth ovens (with 2-5 metre inside diameters) found in the South Island. Analysis of excavated material from ovens in South Canterbury includes archaeological, geological, chemical, botanical and physical techniques. The analytical techniques used determine how and when the ovens were used, what was cooked in the ovens, and the geographical setting at the time of use. Particular research emphasis is placed on cabbage tree cooking ovens. A nutritional analysis of this plant to determine the most probable time of the year for harvest and its importance in the prehistoric Māori diet is presented.