The Past From Above

Old aerial photos and maps from your friendly archaeologist.

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The town plans of New Zealand always seem to surprise me. This 1874 plan of Hyde is a near perfect strip of geometry with horizontal rectangles blocked in between the streets of Stowe, Woburn, Dover and Arundel. Surrounded by plentiful white space no geographical features are visible. The 1891 plan expands adding rivers, swamps, paddocks, tailings, and lagoons for context. Revealing the expansion of this boom town. Hyde was originally a gold mining boom town of the 1860s Otago gold rush. Originally called ‘Eight Mile’ because of the towns distance from the Hamilton’s Gold Mine. The mine employed a large proportion of the town’s residents. The Cromwell–Dunedin express also crashed near the town on 4 June 1943. The train, which was travelling too fast, derailed on a corner and the carriages piled into each other. Many people were injured, and 24 were killed. Today, the town is booming with a new kind of rush as a cyclist stop on the Otago rail trail. Source NZMS 16 Hyde 1874 and 1891 were sourced from the UoA geodatahub and is subject to re-use under attribution CC-BY 4.0. #aotearoa #cycletrail #goldmining #history #heritage #historicmaps #hyde #mining #newzealand #nzhistory #oldmaps #papertowns #townplan #nzarchaeology #otago #otagorailtrail https://www.instagram.com/p/BopvDoCgg8F/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14bequnuuh9jr

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Understandably, while I can’t tramp and explore the wonderful walks within the forested areas of the Waitākere Ranges. I can visualise the amazing topography and hope the rāhui and closure works to protect the trees within the ranges from kauri dieback and prevents the spread of this disease. The LiDAR data was sourced from and licenced by Auckland Council for re-use under the creative commons attribution 4.0 New Zealand licence. #aotearoa #auckland #karekare #lidar #newzealand #qgis #topography #tramping #waitakereranges (at Karekare, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn5J2iwAYEa/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1hmro0cabhsqa

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Tension between the British and Russian empires in the mid-1880s drove New Zealand to fortify its main ports. Rīpapa formed part of Lyttelton’s defences, along with Battery, Spur and Erskine Points. Rīpapa (‘mooring rock’) was also a refuge pā for Ngāi Tahu in the late 1820s, identified as a potential battery site in 1857, and was a quarantine station for Vogel’s immigrants in 1873. Once called Humanity Island, an ironic name for Taranaki Māori held prisoner there in 1880. Remnants of the pā was probably excavated away when Fort Jervois was installed, as the quarantine buildings were pulled down and the top 5 meters of the island itself. Fort Jervois was named after former Governor Sir William Jervois, an imperial expert on coastal defences, and by 1889 two 8-inch rifled muzzle-loaders and two 6-inch hydro-pneumatic disappearing guns were in place. Big guns which would have been even more menacing with the fort’s crenellations and mock crossed-arrow slits. The Russians never came, the big guns never fired in anger and today this imposing fort on a small island built to protect, is protected due to significance in New Zealand history. Source: The 1970’s aerial imagery was supplied by Environment Canterbury and is subject to re-use under attribution CC-BY 4.0. The Taununu's pa map was supplied by the National library-Strouts, Frederick, 1834-1919. Taununu's pa, Ripapa Island, Lyttelton Harbour. Copied from plan made by Fredk Strouts in 1872 ... [ca.1910] [copy of ms map]. Ref: MapColl-834.44hkcmf/1872/Acc.5099. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23027745 #aerial #aerialimage #aerialphotography #aotearoa #canterbury #fort #fortjervois #history #heritage #historicmaps #lyttelton #newzealand #nzhistory #nzarchaeology #oldmaps #nzarchaeology #ripapa https://www.instagram.com/p/BnwzXoMBdHV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1hl8zao7z8wdz

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What is in a name…The town plan of Blue skin “Boundaries of Town & Blocks 1 to 3 by Alex R Garvie 1859” is certainly intriguing. The closest match I could find is the settlement on Waitati Creek, where what is left of the original plan is Killarney and Foyle street. The colouring of the blocks adds some interesting details; blue symbolises purchased land, pink is educational and other, and grey blue is crown reserve. What is quite alarming (to me at least) was the fine back then for pulling out a survey peg or destroying a trig station. The fine was 50 pounds in 1859, which today is 5,970 pounds approximately 11,805.68 NZ. It speaks to I think the larger events occurring in the country at the time, and overall crown policy. Elements preserved as interesting artefacts in an old map of Blueskin. Source NZMS 16 Blue skin was sourced from the UoA geodatahub and is subject to re-use under attribution CC-BY 4.0. The 2018 imagery was sourced from Google earth pro. #aotearoa #blueskinbay #cromwellnz #history #heritage #historicmaps #newzealand #nzhistory #oldmaps #papertowns #townplan #nzarchaeology #otago #waitati https://www.instagram.com/p/Bne7QQygg2q/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2qp778m036tn

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I love tramping or as I had to explain to a foreign colleague “the recreational activity of going for long-distance walks in rough country”. What seems like a pipe dream for the near future is walking the Heaphy track, a 24 hour walk from the Kohaihai river to Brown hut. Realistically a 4-day tramp with some good friends. What keeps me inspired, while I am stuck in the office is looking at NZMS193, an almost whimsical 1960’s representation of the Heaphy track. A good place to start is the map insert, where you will spot two kiwi’s flanking the legend. The tramper wearing stubbies with an overburdened pack is almost comical, and throughout is dotted icons of fish and game you might see on the way. I further get lost reading the detailed information dotted down at various points along the track…apparently you can quite easily visit a deep lagoon at the Heaphy hut, and if you are lucky you might run into some kiwis. Hopefully this map will inspire you for your own long distance walks in rough country. Source NZMS193 was sourced from the UoA geodatahub and is subject to re-use under attribution CC-BY 4.0. #1960 #aotearoa #exploration #greatwalks #history #heritage #heaphytrack #hiking #historicmaps #maps #nelson #newzealand #nzhistory #tracks https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm47zsrArJR/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=i5exwzfqhnvu

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At 4,200 meters high, the summit of Mauna Kea holds the world's largest astronomical observatory and 13 working telescopes. From the perspective of this 1978 aerial photograph it looks like an otherworldly landscape, with observatories dotted here and there casting long shadows. Mauna Kea loosely translated means “white mountain”, which I believe references the seasonally snow-capped summit. To me it is amazing to think that within the Polynesian triangle only here and New Zealand snow can be seen. It is not difficult then to understand why the mountain is so special to Hawaiians. The aerial photograph 370, Flight path 6 (Hawaiʻi North West Quadrant) was accessed from UH Manoa from MAGIS https://guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/aerials #aerial #aerialimage #aerialphotography #collections #crater #hawaii #history #heritage #maunakea #observatory #pacificarchaeology #polynesiantriangle #uhmanoa #volcano https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmwm9gigdiA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1si4y7k6kotyx

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For the New Zealand history and archaeology buffs the aerial image dated to 1938 will seem quite familiar. Besides the stunning picture of the De Havilland biplane in the centre, in the background Wairau Bar is visible, and sits at the mouth of the Wairau River in Marlborough. Wairau bar holds one of the oldest archaeological sites in New Zealand (Artefacts have been radiocarbon dated to around 1300 AD). It is safe to say, the location is covered in detail in New Zealand 101 archaeology courses and is beyond significant in understanding New Zealand’s past. This image then is worth more than a thousand words… Source: De Havilland biplane, ZK-AEG Karoro, flying over the Wairau Bar, Royal New Zealand Air Force air sales. Ref: WA-21586-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23249353 #aerial #aerialimage #aerialphotography #aotearoa #blenheim #cloudybay #collections #history #heritage #nationallibrarynz #newzealand #nzarchaeology #marlborough #pacificarchaeology #wairaubar https://www.instagram.com/p/BmrYRDEgjb6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=omiz6ln8arvi

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A beyond impressive pā complex sits close to the subdivisions and sprawl of Tauranga (the aerial image is dated to 1950). The Bay of Plenty has fine examples of ancient hill forts at Maunganui, Mangatawa and Pāpāmoa. Pāpāmoa straddles ignimbrite (volcanic) hill country and offered good views in all directions, ideal locations for pā. The Pā on these hills range from an immense 7 ha down to 0.15 ha. The oldest was begun sometime after 1460 and they were all built by 1700. I can only imagine how imposing these forts would have been on the surrounding landscape…vital locales watching over fertile coastal dune plains and rich coastal fisheries. Source NZMS N58-9 was sourced from the UoA geodatahub and is subject to re-use under attribution CC-BY 4.0. #aerial #aerialimage #aerialphotography #aotearoa #archaeology #history #historic #heritage #newzealand #nzhistory #nzarchaeology #papamoa #tauranga https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmfunm6g-BX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17cax5gcagfbl

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On a dreary Monday an island in the Coromandel would not go amiss. I found this great picture of a bi-plane and an oblique 1959 aerial of Ahuahu/Great Mercury Island. One of the early places I was lucky enough to excavate at, as an archaeological student. The Auckland Museum and the University of Auckland have been running an interesting archaeological project for a while now. Exciting to see what they will find out in the future. Source: Great Mercury Island, Mercury Islands, Waikato Region. Ref: WA-51104, 51120. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/32971640 #aerial #aerialimage #aerialphotography #ahuahu #aotearoa #coromandel #greatmercuryisland #history #heritage #island #newzealand #nzarchaeology #pacificarchaeology https://www.instagram.com/p/BmZsnYKAFJ0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ibnkbkma46ko

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Huntly is world famous in New Zealand for the Deka sign, the top twin’s mural and the PowerStation. Huntly is also an intriguing case of how a little New Zealand town has grown. I thought a 1950’s aerial of Huntly with a modern comparison would illustrate this quite well. A good guess for this growth over 68 years would be the commission of the powerstation in 1983. Add in the aggravating factor of the urban sprawl of Auckland and Hamilton, with Huntly wedged in the middle, and it is easy to see why this town has rapidly spread around and across the mighty Waikato river. Source NZMS N56-1 was sourced from the UoA geodatahub and is subject to re-use under attribution CC-BY 4.0. The 2018 imagery was sourced from Google earth pro. #aerial #aerialimage #aerialphotography #aotearoa #dekasign #history #historic #heritage #huntly #huntlynz #huntlypowerstation #newzealand #nzhistory #waikato #waikatoriver https://www.instagram.com/p/BmJ-y0gg-Z3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1dgywtr8rlddl

[archaeocart-blog]

Huntly is world famous in New Zealand for the Deka sign, the top twin’s mural and the PowerStation. Huntly is also an intriguing case of how a little New Zealand town has grown. I thought a 1950’s aerial of Huntly with a modern comparison would illustrate this quite well. A good guess for this growth over 68 years would be the commission of the powerstation in 1983. Add in the aggravating factor of the urban sprawl of Auckland and Hamilton, with Huntly wedged in the middle, and it is easy to see why this town has rapidly spread around and across the mighty Waikato river. Source NZMS N56-1 was sourced from the UoA geodatahub and is subject to re-use under attribution CC-BY 4.0. The 2018 imagery was sourced from Google earth pro. #aerial #aerialimage #aerialphotography #aotearoa #history #historic #heritage #huntly #huntlypowerstation #newzealand #nzhistory #waikato #waikatoriver https://www.instagram.com/p/BmJ-y0gg-Z3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hp21jtmby5wc

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‘+’ marks the last known location of Mainwaring Brown, who was an English Literature and Political Economy Professor at Otago University. Besides being cartographically beautiful maps dated to 1894 and 1896 (characterisation of the bushline, rivers, and hills are quite stunning examples of New Zealand’s cartographic heritage)…the notation intrigued me to the point to where I needed to know more. The maps themselves showcase the exploration of a group of Europeans into the Otago area, and an ill-fated journey necessitating a rescue party in search of the missing Professor. Clues to what occurred are further characterised by the maps symbology, a black line highlights the search party’s journey with the various basecamps noted. The mystery of what happened to Professor Brown is clarified by two newspaper articles that appeared in the Clutha Leader and the Otago Witness (digitally available via ‘Papers Past’, an online repository of New Zealand Newspapers). The articles detail the time and how the man went missing, the response, and the struggle with the weather and terrain. Unfortunately, and to the dismay of all involved, the professor was never found, believed to have been swept into a nearby stream with sufficient force to carry him to the Micaburn. Source The maps were sourced from the UoA geodatahub and is subject to re-use under attribution CC-BY 4.0. #aotearoa #exploration #history #heritage #historicmaps #maps #micaburn #newzealand #nzhistory #otago #paperspast

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So, today I am sharing something a little thematically different. Relatively often I work with LiDAR (Light detection and ranging) data. It is the stuff they use to find Mayan temples under dense forests, and the data exists somewhat in New Zealand. The data is quite good to show relief which I did here with Maungawhau/Mt Eden, using QGIS 3D-view and symbolising the points as voxels. It is interesting when you compare it against a reference aerial (1959) of Mt Eden. A bit of the history of Maungawhau…the maunga/cone is a dormant volcano and its summit, it is 196 metres (643 ft) above sea level. It is also a cone pa and covers approximately 30 ha and is terraced down to its base around most of the mountain, which is why the relief is stark in the aerial and 3-D point cloud. Source NZMS 3-Sheet N42-5 was sourced from the UoA geodatahub and is subject to re-use under attribution CC-BY 4.0. The LiDAR data was sourced from and licenced by Auckland Council for re-use under the creative commons attribution 4.0 New Zealand licence. #aerial #aerialimage #aerialphotography #aotearoa #auckland #history #heritage #lidar #maungawhau #mteden #newzealand #nzarchaeology #pacificarchaeology #qgis

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I have already shared a few townplans, but thought I would give a little info of what I have learned of the N.Z.M.S (New Zealand mapping service) 16 series. These plans are cadastral maps produced after 1860, and are far removed from the towns they reference today...further several plans never came to fruition (paper towns in a sense). Although not drawn to modern standards they show valuable historic information and are some of the earliest large-scale maps of small towns in New Zealand. These maps further provide a snapshot of the visions early surveyors had for towns and cities in colonial New Zealand, as early as 1860. One such vision was laying out potential towns in a rectilinear or grid plan. Bendigo is one such an example, in a shape of a cross, the location of stores, the quartz crushing machine and water race is noted. The race benotes the mining history of the town, as Bendigo first achieved notability in the 1860s, during the Otago Gold Rush. The goldfield around the settlement became one of the country's richest, yielding an estimated 15 to 50 ounces of gold per week. Bendigo was also used as backup trail by Maori greenstone parties heading to and from the main pounamu areas of Wakatipu and the West Coast from Moeraki. The Bendigo plan in a sense references a paper town…due to the fact that all that remains are remant structures highlighting the industrious past. Source NZMS 16 Bendigo 1870 was sourced from the UoA geodatahub and is subject to re-use under attribution CC-BY 4.0. #aotearoa #bendigonz #cromwellnz #goldmining #history #heritage #historicmaps #mining #newzealand #nzhistory #oldmaps #papertowns #townplan #nzarchaeology

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Still trying to figure out how the islands got their name, but today I found this lovely oblique aerial dated 1956 of the Chicken islands/Marotere. Named by Captain James Cook in 1769, the islands are part of the Hen and Chickens Group which stands off Bream Bay on the east coast of the Northland peninsula. Today these islands are a part of the Hen and Chickens Nature Reserve, notable for their tuatara (lizard-like reptiles), seabirds and tīeke (saddlebacks). Interestingly, as I read up on the history…the Canadian–Australian mail liner Niagara sank nearby in June 1940 after hitting a German mine laid by a German auxiliary cruiser called Orion. The stuff you learn on a Thursday. Source: Hen and Chickens Island, Auckland. Ref: WA-41914-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/30632483 #aerial #aerialimage #aerialphotography #archaeologynz #aotearoa #breambay #newzealand #northlandnz #history #heritage #pacific #oblique #seamine #nzarchaeology #wreck

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Lyttelton Harbour 1952. Source NZMS3 sheet 84-5. The NZMS series sheet was sourced from UoA Cartographic and Geospatial Resources Repository and is subject to a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand (CC BY 3.0 NZ) licence. #aerial #aerialimage #history #heritage #aerialphotography #christchurch #aotearoa #newzealand (at Christchurch, New Zealand)