Recent archaeological findings at Qaranilaca Cave, Vanuabalavu Island, Fiji

Thomas, Frank R.; Nunn, Patrick D.; Osborne, Tamara; Kumar, Roselyn; Areki, Francis; Matararaba, Sepeti; Steadman, David W.; Hope, Geoff

doi:10.1002/j.1834-4453.2004.tb00556.x

Cited by 15 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 19 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Food is still largely locally derived in this contemporary Pacific community, and, compared with other areas in Fiji, the coral reefs of Lau have had relatively little impact by tourism, extensive modern developments, commercial fishing, and high population levels. Moreover, central Lau has been the subject of archaeological and ethnographic research by myself and others, which has laid the groundwork for this project (Hocart 1929, Thompson 1940, Best 1984, O'Day et al 2003, O'Day 2004, Thomas et al 2004, Jones et al 2007a.…”

Section: My Multidisciplinary Research In the Laumentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These families are common in Pacific island archaeological assemblages and in material identified from Fiji (Leach and Davidson 2000, Thomas et al 2004, Jones et al 2007b). Porcupinefish occur in high frequencies in the early period sites on Lakeba and Nayau but were less frequently identified in sites from mid-late time periods and in deposits from other islands.…”

Section: Archaeological Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A Long-Term Perspective on Biodiversity and Marine Resource Exploitation in Fiji's Lau Group

Jones

2009

Pacific Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

I present research investigating biodiversity and human interaction with the local environment through three perspectives on diverse islands in Fiji's Lau Group. First, I generated long-term data on marine diversity and exploitation through zooarchaeological analyses of fauna from sites spanning the region's prehistoric human occupation. The study areas are representative of regional fauna and local geographic variation in island size and structure. Each island also varies in terms of human occupation and degree of impacts on marine and terrestrial environments. Second, my ethnographic work recorded modern marine exploitation patterns by Lauan communities. Third, marine biological surveys documented living faunas. Together this information is used to explore the marine environment over the three millennia of human occupation. Using data derived from my multipronged study I discuss potential causes of ecological change in this tropical marine setting. My findings include the following: (1) data indicate that relative intensity of human occupation and exploitation determines modern composition and biological diversity of marine communities because human disturbance occurred more extensively on larger islands than on smaller islands in Lau; (2) Lauans appear to have targeted similar suites of marine fauna across their 3,000 years of history on these islands; (3) Lauans have had a selective effect on marine biodiversity because particular species are/were targeted according to local standards of ranking and preference; (4) marine resources existing today have withstood over 3,000 years of human impacts and therefore may have life history traits supporting resilience and making conservation efforts worthwhile.

show abstract

Section: My Multidisciplinary Research In the Laumentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Archaeological Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Long-Term Perspective on Biodiversity and Marine Resource Exploitation in Fiji's Lau Group

Jones

2009

Pacific Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Such sites contrast with those where the Scaridae are dominant (Votua 2000, Kulu Bay, Navatu Layer 4) and those where there is a relatively even balance of carnivores and herbivores/omnivores (Volivoli II and Malaqereqere). The Qaranilaca site in northern Lau is unusual for the proportion of carangids, which combined with individuals of the Lethrinidae, suggests targeting of these taxa (Thomas et al 2004).…”

Section: Terra Australis 31mentioning

confidence: 99%

The fish bone remains

Clark¹,

Szabó²

2009

The Early Prehistory of Fiji

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…It is possible, however, that shellfish gath-ering may actually reflect a mixture of availability and preference Thomas et al 2004). Variable selection within a broad spectrum of shellfish resources is consistent with an approach to subsistence that weighs the variable costs and benefits that human foragers face while collecting prey, as shown ethnographically (Bird and Bird 1997;Thomas 2002) and through the examination of archaeological data (Anderson 1981;Raab 1992).…”

Section: Shellftsh Remainsmentioning

confidence: 72%

The Lapita Occupation at Naitabale, Moturiki Island, Central Fiji

Nunn¹,

Ishimura²,

Dickinson³

et al. 2007

asi

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In 2003 the authors discovered and excavated a Lapita site at Naitabale close to the southern end of Moturiki Island (central Fiji). Today the site is 350 m inland from the coast, but in Lapita times it was located behind the active beach ridge. A large collection of potsherds (including 92 dentate-stamped or incised Lapita sherds), shell, and animal bones was recovered, together with a human burial. Sherd decorations show affinities with the Western Lapita Province rather than the Eastern Lapita Province (which includes Fiji). Temper analyses of 45 Lapita sherds do not show any unmistakably exotic (to Fiji) pottery, but 29 percent are nonlocal to Moturiki and nearby islands. Fish bones are mostly from inshore species (dominated by Scaridae), while nonfish vertebrates are dominated by turtle and include dog and chicken. Shellfish remains are dominated by gastropods, mostly Strombus spp. (43 percent of gastropod MNI). The surf clam (Atactodea striata) accounts for 38 percent of bivalve MNI, with Anadara antiquata and Gafrarium pectinatum each representing 14 percent of the bivalve MNI. The skeleton is that of a woman (Mana) 161–164 cm tall who died at 40–60 years of age. Six radiocarbon dates from bones overlap 2740–2739 cal. years B.P. (790–789 B.C.). The mandible lacks antegonial notches but is not a proper rocker jaw. The cranium was better preserved than any Lapitaassociated skeleton hitherto described, which allowed the head to be reconstructed. Stable-isotope analyses show that her diet contained significant amounts of reef foods but was probably dominated by terrestrial plants. The Lapita occupation of Naitabale is likely to have begun by 2850 cal. years B.P. (900 B.C.). Radiocarbon dates and pottery decorative styles both suggest Naitabale was first occupied within the early part of the Lapita history of Fiji.

show abstract

Recent archaeological findings at Qaranilaca Cave, Vanuabalavu Island, Fiji

Abstract: Figure 1: Location of Qaranilaca on Vanuabalavu Island

Cited by 15 publications

References 19 publications

A Long-Term Perspective on Biodiversity and Marine Resource Exploitation in Fiji's Lau Group

A Long-Term Perspective on Biodiversity and Marine Resource Exploitation in Fiji's Lau Group

The fish bone remains

The Lapita Occupation at Naitabale, Moturiki Island, Central Fiji

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About