A Nga Puhi woman campaigning to save a piece of land in Sydney, which she says rightfully belongs to Maori and aboriginal people says an archaeological assessment of the site maybe the only way to prove ownership.
The Rangihou Reserve in Parramatta is owned by the local council which wants to sell it.
Jennifer Holt-Alexander says the reserve on the banks of the Parramatta River was given to Maori by Reverend Samuel Marsden 200 years ago.
She says the council now refuses to discuss the issue.
Ms Holt-Alexander says archaeologists may be able to find signs of a burial site although it is likely this would have been washed away over the years as people were buried close to the river and the river has changed course many times.
She says it is still possible some may have been buried further up the bank.
Ms Holt-Alexander says she is also considering taking legal action to stop the sale.
