book chapter

New Guinea: the last 10,000 years

prehistory of Australia, New Guinea, and Sahul, J. Peter White with James F. O'Connell ; illustrations by Margrit KoettigSydney • Published In 1982 • Pages: 171-194

By: White, J. Peter (John Peter), O'Connell, James F..

Abstract
White summarizes the last 10,000 years of prehistory in the highlands of Papua New Guinea in the first half of this document, the second half covers the lowlands. He also covers the changes to the environment and climate during this time period. The development of intensive agriculture, probably for the cultivation of taro, is explored by summarizing the excavations at Kuk and Mugumamp Ridge. White goes on to review the known data on settlement patterns and how the introduction of the sweet potato allowed people to more fully exploit and impact the environment at higher elevations. Hypotheses about how and when pigs were first introduce to the island are explored. White briefly covers trade networks and some of the more unusual features of stone technology.
Subjects
Identification
Prehistory
Historical reconstruction
Tillage
Water supply
Lithic industries
Settlement patterns
Chronologies and culture sequences
tradition
New Guinea Neolithic
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
Oceania
Sub Region
Melanesia
Document Type
book chapter
Evaluation
Creator Type
Archaeologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
Analyst
Sarah Berry; 1999
Field Date
no date
Coverage Date
10,000 BP - 100 BP
Coverage Place
Montane New Guinea
Notes
J. P. White and J. F. O'Connell
Includes bibliographical references (p. 239-268)
LCCN
81071781
LCSH
Papua New Guinea Antiquities