Processing of Pueraria montana var. lobata (kudzu bean) and Colocasia esculenta (Taro ) during the early holocene at kuk swamp in the papua new guinea highlands

A groundbreaking analysis of stone artefacts from Kuk Swamp, Papua New Guinea, reveals the earliest use of kudzu bean (Pueraria montana var. lobata) and taro (Colocasia esculenta) in the highlands during the Early Holocene (c. 10,000 years ago). The study employed robust statistical methods, categorical attributes, and expert input to identify these plants from starch grains on a flaked stone tool (K/76/S29B), addressing long-standing challenges in attributing unknown residues to specific plant taxa. Notably, the research found that taro and Dioscorea esculenta share indistinguishable starch grain morphologies, necessitating additional distinguishing features such as cultural use, growing requirements, and sedimentary context for accurate identification. This work underscores the significance of integrating multiple lines of evidence in reconstructing ancient plant exploitation, offering new insights into the dietary practices of early highland communities.

Coster, A. C. F., Field, J. H., Fullagar, R., & Lovave, M. (2025). Processing of Pueraria montana var. lobata (kudzu bean) and Colocasia esculenta (Taro ) during the early holocene at kuk swamp in the papua new guinea highlands. Quaternary Research, 128, 45–59. https://doi.org/10.1017/qua.2025.10022