The New Zealand Historic Places Trust hopes the prosecution of two Alexandra men this week will deter others from damaging heritage sites, especially in Central Otago which had been "stripped" by people helping themselves to souvenirs from historic sites, a senior archaeologist said.
"Central Otago has the highest density of archaeological sites in the country, because of all the gold-mining activity, and people need to know they can't just go into these places, damage sites and help themselves to whatever's there," trust senior archaeologist Rick McGovern-Wilson said yesterday.
He was commenting after Campbell Munro Withington (46), journalist, and Alexander John McLean (69), teacher, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charges of damaging or modifying a Nevis Valley site without the authority of the Historic Places Trust, knowing or having cause to suspect it was an archaeological site.
Withington was convicted and discharged and McLean was discharged without conviction.
Both men agreed to make a "significant donation" to the trust but the parties are refusing to reveal how much.
"I hope this sends a strong message to others that our heritage sites in this country are protected," Dr McGovern-Wilson said.
The charges were laid under the Historic Places Act 1993, which identified an archaeological site as a place associated with pre-1900 human activity.
It is unlawful to destroy, damage or modify any part of such a site without the authority of the Historic Places Trust.
"Far too many of Central Otago's heritage sites have been stripped by people helping themselves to items," he said.
Archaeological sites told a story and were a record of human endeavour.
"When things are left on site, in situ, it allows us to look at where one artefact is in relation to another and we can learn much more about the site and the people who were there," Dr McGovern-Wilson said.
"The investigation of actual and potential archaeological sites should be left to the experts."
People who took "souvenirs" such as old bottles, from historical sites to keep were "just as bad" as those who dug up or modified sites without permission, he said.
"Personally, I'd put them in the same category. These sites are protected for a reason. You can't just wander into the hills and help yourself."
The objects might have a monetary value but their heritage value was far greater.
"For us, it's about the loss of heritage, whether the sites are from the gold mining era in Central Otago, or Maori middens on the coast."
"As a nation, we all lose when sites like these are damaged because not only are artefacts removed, the context they were in also goes, further undermining our knowledge and appreciation of New Zealand's heritage," Dr McGovern-Wilson said.
Further inquiries by the Otago Daily Times yesterday found the amount paid by the defendants to the Historic Places Trust is to remain confidential because of an in-chambers ruling by Judge Mike Crosbie.
Historical sites
- An archaeological site is defined as a place associated with pre-1900 human activity.
- These sites are legally protected. The trust can also gazette more recent sites (after 1900) for protection.
- It is unlawful to destroy, damage or modify any archaeological site without the authority of the Historic Places Trust.
- If there is a chance you may damage a site, you need to apply to the Historic Places Trust for permission to do so.
- If you uncover a previously unknown site during earthworks, you need to contact the trust.
- The ownership of artefacts found on sites is determined by the Protected Objects Act 1975.
- Historic Maori artefacts are the property of the Crown and historic European artefacts are the property of the landowner.
