Born in
Blenheim on 10 January 1926, Eyles was the son of Albert Roy Eyles and Daphne Eyles (née Daken). He spent his early years living with his family at the
Wairau Bar near Blenheim where, in 1939 as a schoolboy, he discovered early human skeletons and associated artefacts including necklaces, stone tools and
moa egg. Eyles discovered several more burials on the bar, and assisted with the excavations carried out by
Roger Duff from the
Canterbury Museum. The site is regarded as one of the oldest and most important
archaeological sites in New Zealand. Eyles continued his association with Duff during the excavations of
Pyramid Valley Swamp in the 1940s. Duff recognised his contribution by naming an extinct hawk found in the swamp the
Eyles' harrier. In the
1991 Queen's Birthday Honours, Eyles was appointed an
Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to archaeology. A descendant of pioneer whaler
Jimmy Jackson, Eyles worked at
Canterbury,
Hokitika and
Nelson Museums, as well as in
whaling and
farming. ==References==