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Step back in time at Christchurch’s first ever festival of archaeology.

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and Christchurch Archaeology project are hosting the new Ōtautahi Festival of Archaeology on Saturday 10 May from 11am-3pm at Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House to mark New Zealand Archaeology Week.

“This is a chance to bring along any questions for archaeologists about what they do, the things they find, as well as any questions about archaeology as a career,” Dr Katharine Watson of the Christchurch Archaeology Project says. 

Senior Outreach Advisor for Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Rosemary Baird said this is an exciting new festival for families. 

“All our partners have been so creative in coming up with fun ideas for the day. We have an activity fieldnotes booklet that kids can get stamped at each activity.”

Events will include meeting working archaeologists, excavation, checking out artefacts on display, story times and badge making. 

Christchurch City Libraries will have a stall with archaeology and history books. 

Canterbury Archaeology Project and Underground Overground archaeologists will have artefacts discovered on recent excavation sites in central Christchurch on display. 

And Canterbury Museum will be displaying rare collection items and operating their popular badge-making machine. 

The festival is free and open to families and archaeology fans of all ages. 

Find out more about the Ōtautahi Festival of Archaeology.

Images: Chris Hoopmann, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.