Blog

At any archaeological dig, there are all number of objects that help to build a picture of past lives. But as with a puzzle, a single piece is worthless, or may be a red herring; it is the correct linking of the pieces which forms the picture.

Convergence of this year’s New Zealand Archaeology Week with the Year of the Dog provides the perfect opportunity to highlight the Polynesian dog or kurī and its importance to archaeological investigation in Aotearoa.

In this piece, Archaeology Curator Louise Furey explains how archaeological work on Auckland's volcanic cones has given important insights into how these distinctive landscape features were utilised by Māori.

In the late 1980s, archaeologists uncovered the remnants of a small Queen street jail. As they dug deeper, a trove of artefacts were discovered revealing a rich history dating back 5-600 years. In this blog, Archaeology Curator, Louise Furey explains how these finds have helped to understand the occupation of this land throughout history.

Malta received thousands of sick and wounded New Zealanders in the First World War and many didn't make it off the island. Find out more about this tragic history.

Last month, a team from Auckland Museum joined Ngāti Kuri in a bioblitz at the top of the North island. In this blog, Otago Lecturer in Ancient DNA, Nic Lawrence describes how iwi, scientists, kids and educators worked together to uncover this lost world.

Combining a keen eye and solid research skills we sometimes find success, but more often than not we can't definitively name all of those pictured. This is where the public can help us

Longtime volunteer, Janet Anderson, often assists our visitors to explore the medal collection in our Memorial Discovery Centre. Her favourite story is about Pip, Squeak and Wilfred, the three service medals given to WWI soldiers. In this blog, she explains the origin of these nicknames and the significance of each medal.

Ernest William Welch's shaving kit proved to be a life-saver when he stationed as a solider on the Somme in World War One.

Auckland Museum needs your help! We are currently looking to borrow or acquire objects with a strong connection to recreation activities on Pt Chevalier Beach, for use in a new exhibition next year.

Long-time volunteer, Janet Anderson, has worked at our Memorial Discovery Centre for over five years. In this blog, we asked her why she does it?

In this piece, our Senior Collection Technician, Sarah Bishop, tells us about her favourite taonga - a stunning garments a red and yellow Hawaiian cloak made from hundreds of feathers.