Publications
Origin and Development of Agriculture in New Guinea, Island Melanesia, and Polynesia
Agriculture in the Pacific Islands began with early Holocene practices centered on vegetative propagation and underground storage organs, later evolving into complex systems. Kuk Swamp in Papua New Guinea's highlands offers one of the earliest records of agricultural intensification, showing mounded cultivation around 7000–6400 cal BP and wetland drainage by 4400–4000 cal BP. Unlike other regions in Near Oceania, which focused on fruit- and nut-bearing trees, Kuk’s landscape reveals a shift toward more intensive land management. By 3250–2800 cal BP, these practices spread with Lapita pottery-bearers into the western Pacific, while later Polynesian colonization (1000–750 cal BP) introduced new crops like the sweet potato, reshaping regional agriculture.
Phase 2: Mounded Cultivation During the Mid Holocene
Archaeological evidence from Kuk Swamp in the highlands of New Guinea reveals the earliest unequivocal proof of mounded cultivation, dating between 6950 and 6440 years ago. This discovery challenges earlier debates about whether land use practices at Kuk constituted agriculture, providing definitive support for its classification as such. The study contrasts with previous claims that such evidence was insufficient, instead offering robust data from Kuk and comparable mid-Holocene sites in the Wahgi Valley, including Mugumamp and Warrawau. The findings underscore New Guinea's role in the independent origins of agriculture, reinforcing arguments for early agricultural development in the region. This research builds on extensive investigations at Kuk, which have served as a benchmark for interpreting similar finds across highland sites.
Traim tasol … Cultural heritage management in Papua New Guinea
Cultural heritage management in Papua New Guinea is characterized by diverse practices, from community-based ethnoarchaeological projects to large-scale World Heritage nominations. A key insight is the successful integration of archaeological research with local oral traditions and ethnoscience, as demonstrated in a project among the Kalam people of the Simbai Valley. This approach highlights the importance of linking fieldwork with documented cultural knowledge, offering a model for sustainable heritage management. The study also examines challenges associated with the World Heritage nomination process at the Kuk Early Agricultural Site, providing critical observations on the sector's evolving commercial landscape. Conducted over 20 years, this research underscores the need for nuanced, context-specific strategies in managing Papua New Guinea's rich cultural and archaeological heritage.
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