Optical dating of sediments associated with a fossil moa skeleton near Tauweru, Wairarapa, New Zealand

Abstract

Optical dating was undertaken on the finegrained (4–11 μm diam.) fraction of potassium feldspars extracted from sediments associated with a nearly complete fossil moa skeleton uncovered near Tauweru. The optical ages show that the deposit in which the fossil occurred is younger than c. 45 ka, and no older than 18–22 ka. This result is broadly consistent with the calibrated radiocarbon age estimate for the fossil of 16–22 ka, and suggests that the skeleton is of Ohakean age.

Keywords:

• optical dating
• moa
• Kawakawa Tephra
• Wairarapa