book chapter

The origins and development of New Guinea agriculture

foraging and farming : the evolution of plant exploitation • London • Published In 1989 • Pages: 678-687

By: Golson, Jack.

Abstract

Golson critiques the findings from Kuk, in particular, the 9,000 year old date, in light of the assumption that agriculture on New Guinea originated in Asia. Golson points out the problems with the findings such as the researchers only found agricultural ditches, and they found no plant remains and few tools. Another problem is today Kuk is located at the upper altitudinal limit for cultivation of most plants grown today in the New Guinea highlands. The climate 9,000 years ago would have just been warming up to todays temperature range so agriculture may have been even more difficult then. Golson goes on to hypothesize that agriculture may have started independently on New Guinea. This hypothesis is partly supported by studies which indicate that "feral" taro may actually not be feral, but indigenous to the island. Evidence of early agriculture has now been found in more than one place so the early date at Kuk is partially supported by early agricultural terraces found around the Arona Basin in the Eastern Highlands.

HRAF PubDate

2000

Region

Oceania

Sub Region

Melanesia

Document Type

book chapter

Evaluation

Creator Type

Archaeologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Sarah Berry; 1999

Field Date

not specified

Coverage Date

9,000 BP - 100 BP

Coverage Place

Kuk and the Highlands; Papua New Guinea

Notes

Jack Golson

Includes bibliographical references (p. 685-687)

LCCN

88028751

LCSH

Papua New Guinea Antiquities