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Medicine Amongst the Maoris, in Ancient and Modern Times

Village Sites

Village Sites.

Owing to the fairly constant attack and defence that went on, not only between tribes, but also between sub-tribes, all villages were fortified. For this purpose the sites chosen were nearly always or hill tops and rising ground where the natural features assisted the work of defence. Hence the ground was dry. This was also promoted by the system of fortification. universally adopted. The hill sides were terraced with deep trenches to obstruct attacking war parties. Thus the drainage was good and sub-soil water a thing unknown. I have myself gone over old fortified village sites and found depressions between the sites of houses on the various terraces showing that smaller drains were made between the individual houses.