A window into our past
The Museum of Archaeology Ōtautahi (MoAŌ) is a window into Canterbury’s past, weaving connections, and sharing narratives unlike any online museum before. MoAŌ is a database made up of thousands of artefacts and stories, gathered from 466 archaeological sites across Canterbury following the devastating earthquakes.
Go on a journey of discovery with MoAŌ - walk in the footsteps of your ancestors, discover 19th-century Christchurch, and connect with the rich tapestry of your whakapapa.
Explore Canterbury’s history
Discover artefacts and stories dating back to 1854 from over 466 archaeological sites throughout Canterbury.
Search for people, places, objects, and organisations here.
CAP and MoAŌ
Created by the Christchurch Archaeology Project (CAP), the Museum of Archaeology Ōtautahi democratises our city's history. Since 2011, a group of dedicated archeologists has worked across hundreds of sites in Canterbury, researching and carefully cataloging thousands of once lost artefacts and their stories. This significant dataset is now preserved digitally and is open to the public, ensuring the stories of our past remain accessible to all.
The archaeologists behind the artefacts
Christchurch Archaeology Project (CAP) is a team of archaeologists with two things in common, a passion for archaeology and Canterbury’s history. Having grown up in Canterbury, they know how special our region is. They’ve dedicated the last 12 years to researching and preserving our history so we can better understand those who came before us and the world we live in today.
