Oceanic Explorations (TA26) : Lapita and Western Pacific Settlement

Abstract

terra australis 26Terra Australis reports the results of archaeological and related research within the south and east of Asia, though mainly Australia, New Guinea and island Melanesia -lands that remained terra australis incognita to generations of prehistorians. Its subject is the settlement of the diverse environments in this isolated quarter of the globe by peoples who have maintained their discrete and traditional ways of life into the recent recorded or remembered past and at times into the observable present.Since the beginning of the series, the basic colour on the spine and cover has distinguished the regional distribution of topics as follows: ochre for Australia, green for New Guinea, red for South-East Asia and blue for the Pacific Islands. From 2001, issues with a gold spine will include conference proceedings, edited papers and monographs which in topic or desired format do not fit easily within the original arrangements. All volumes are numbered within the same series. We would like to thank the contributors who were it must be said widely varied in terms List of volumes in Terra Australis IntroductionLapita pottery and its associated antiquity and significance first began to be revealed in stratigraphically controlled archaeological excavations some 55 years ago (Gifford and Shutler 1956). Since that time it has remained a central focus for Pacific archaeologists Sand 2003; Spriggs 1990a) and has subsequently led to the definition of a cultural complex that is associated with an archaeological horizon that can be identified from Island New Guinea to Samoa (Golson 1971:75). Reading through earlier general summary articles one is struck by both the increased progress but also the continuing complications in the understanding of the Lapita phenomenon. The papers published in this volume reflect on a broad range of interrelated themes including Lapita origins, chronology, patterns of settlement, migration, interaction and exchange, sampling strategies and ceramic analyses; all of which relate to aspects highlighting both advances and impediments associated with Lapita research.

Archaeologies of Island Melanesia: Current Approaches to Landscapes, Exchange and Practice

“…Such is the case with Lapita pottery, associated with the first human presence in Remote Oceania about 3000 years ago. Given the widespread sharing of intricate decorative motifs, highly organised designs and remarkable vessel forms across Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, archaeologists generally believe that the people who manufactured and used decorated Lapita pots attributed great cultural significance to their iconography (Chiu 2007;Mead 1975;Sand and Bedford 2010;Siorat 1990). Current models assume that the symbolic significance of these vessels was more important than their economic value.…”

“…Current models assume that the symbolic significance of these vessels was more important than their economic value. It has been suggested that dentate-stamped Lapita ceramics were used to promote, signal and convey information about the social status and power of Lapita communities, notably in the contexts of special events and/or ceremonies, such as funerals or feasts for example (Best 2002;Chiu 2007;Spriggs 2003;Terrell and Welsch 1997). The archaeological record shows that generally Lapita occupations have been relatively short-lived (200 years maximum) and quickly followed by the emergence of distinctive regional decorative styles, perhaps signalling the decreased significance of Lapita pottery following the disintegration of a shared cultural system.…”