New Zealand's archaeology started in the early 1800's and was largely conducted by amateurs with little regard for meticulous study However, over the last hundred years detailed study answered questions about human culture, that have international relevance and wide public interest. Archaeology (the recovery and analysis of material culture) has been one of the main sources of information about New Zealand's prehistory (c. 1300 - 1800) and has been a valuable aid in solving some later historical problems. New Zealand has one of the shortest prehistoric periods in the world and as such popular culture typically extends prehistory back to the breakup of Gondwana, not the stone age. However, New Zealand's human prehistory is broadly divided into Archaic (paleolithic) after c.1300 AD and Classical (neolithic) after c.1500 AD periods, based on Māori culture. Large sections of New Zealand's history is poorly documented or can be supplemented by archaeological research at old battle sites or urban centres.
Many questions about prehistoric New Zealand have been answered by archaeology and for most it is unlikely that new information will radically change our understanding. However some questions are still debated in the academic press in the hope that a new argument or data may bring resolution.
