Locating the Pā Sites from Hartley Ferrar’s Geological Maps

Simon Bickler; Benjamin Jones

doi:10.70460/jpa.v15i1.388

Authors

Simon Bickler Bickler Consultants Ltd. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7620-2862
Benjamin D. Jones https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2960-3193 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2960-3193

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70460/jpa.v15i1.388

Keywords:

Geoarchaeology, Hartley Ferrar, New Zealand Archaeology, Māori pā, Cultural heritage managment, Cartography, Geological maps

Abstract

This paper explores the history of Hartley Ferrar’s early 20th-century geological maps to identify the location of Māori pā sites in Te Tai Tokerau Northland, Aotearoa New Zealand. Although in regular use, Ferrar’s maps represent an underexplored resource, revealing over 530 potential pā sites, including many not recorded in the national ArchSite database. The research leverages modern techniques such as georeferencing, manual digitisation, machine learning, and LiDAR analysis to locate sites and suggest possible locations for future surveys to identify unrecorded sites. It highlights the significance of combining historical cartographic data with advanced spatial technologies. The findings underscore the value of Ferrar and his team’s meticulous mapping and use of local informant knowledge for understanding the region’s cultural landscape, while also addressing challenges posed by landscape change, data quality, and evolving definitions of pā. The ongoing work contributes to heritage management, offering robust tools for site preservation and emphasising the need for continued field validation and collaboration with iwi and hapū. Ferrar’s legacy persists through the enduring relevance of his maps for archaeological and cultural research in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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