Stone Sources and Petrology of Kuk Swamp Artefacts

Research at Kuk Swamp, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Papua New Guinea, reveals that all stone found within the swamp was intentionally carried there by people, with no natural sources present. The study identifies volcanic debris mounds from Mt Hagen as a minor potential source, though these were largely covered and thus unlikely to have been a significant supply. Stones were brought for various purposes, including tool manufacture, cooking, or ritual use, with some serving as manuports—objects carried in by hand for unknown functions, possibly including ammunition or ceremonial roles. The study combines petrological analysis with archaeological context to trace stone origins and infer early human behaviors, offering insights into the sophisticated resource management of Kuk's early agricultural communities.

Sullivan, M., Burton, J., Ellis, D., Golson, J., & Hughes, P. (2017). Stone Sources and Petrology of Kuk Swamp Artefacts. Ten Thousand Years of Cultivation at Kuk Swamp in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. https://doi.org/10.22459/ta46.07.2017.21