Buried in the sand and floating down the river, pieces of an ancient waka have been found, but their origin and age remains a mystery.
Possibily the most important discovery in Polynesian archeology:
"A father and son have made the discovery of a lifetime - an ocean-voyaging waka on Rēkohu/Chatham Islands.
The significant archaeological find included 450 pieces, some with unique carvings and braided rope which suggests the waka could be very old.
The specific origin and age remain a mystery, with local iwi and Moriori offering different theories on its history.
Vincent Dix, father of Nikau Dix, said they did know that three bits of timber tested were all from New Zealand trees.
He said they made the finding at the nearby river, accessed through their farm.
"My son and I were just loading the boat up and taking the dogs for a run up the beach, and just after a big rain, and yeah, that's when Nikau my son saw the bits of timber washing down the river." ..."
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There's a film on youtube:
Also an article in the Smithsonian Magazine:
A Fisherman and His Son Noticed Strange Pieces of Wood on a Beach. They Turned Out to Be Fragments of a Polynesian Canoe | Smithsonian
