Wellington region to be first online

24/04/2009 12:00:00 a.m.

The Wellington region's archaeological site records will be the first to be fully available on ArchSite. ArchSite is the New Zealand Archaeological Association's online database, which incorporates GIS technology to manage and display site information on maps. ArchSite contains descriptions and information about the location, type and condition of recorded archaeological sites. In addition, ArchSite will incorporate digital copies of the paper forms that were first used to record information about sites, from the inception of the Site Recording Scheme in the 1950s. These forms may include detailed descriptions and site plans recorded from visits to sites over the last 50 years. This supporting documentation is being progressively added to ArchSite, by region, over the next two years.

ArchSite is being launched in Wellington at the NZAA's annual conference in June. In recognition of this event, the region will be the first to have the scanned site records forms and supporting documentation available online. There are over a thousand recorded sites in the Wellington region, representing a diverse range of people, places and history. Wellington's regional, district and city councils all participated in another recent NZAA initiative, the Upgrade Project, which gathered improved information and photographs of recorded sites. This information (where available) will also be included in ArchSite.