Archeologists say an excavation site in Marlborough is probably the oldest in New Zealand, and one of the most important found in the South Pacific.
The scientists are helping Marlborough iwi, Rangitane, prepare the Wairau Bar site for the return of ancient bones taken for study by Canterbury University 70 years ago.
Excavation co-director, Chris Jacomb from Otago University, says the site has been carbon-dated to between 1290 and 1380 and may be home to the first generation of Maori in New Zealand.
The excavation has uncovered bones of the giant Haast's eagle, unique to New Zealand, with a wingspan of three metres and weighing up to 25kg.
