Work

Prehistory in a nutshell: a L apita‐age nut‐cracking stone from the A rawe I slands, P apua N ew G uinea

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: Organic residue on a stone artefact recovered from the Makekur Lapita site (FOH) on Arawe Island in West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea, was sampled and dated. The residue is identified as endocarp fragments of a Canarium species nutshell, most likely Canarium indicum L. The artefact, which is made from coralline limestone, is interpreted as a nut‐cracking anvil. AMS dating places its use at approximately 2800 calBP, in Middle–Late Lapita times, and provides the first direct confirmation of Lapita‐age use of nut‐cracking tools. The careful shaping of the tool, combined with ethnographic comparisons, suggests that it was made and used for preparation of special food, possibly for feasting associated with ritual or other ceremonial activities.

Source: Archaeology in Oceania/Archæology & physical anthropology in Oceania

DOI: 10.1002/arco.5008

Authors: Carol Lentfer, Peter J. Matthews, Chris Gosden, Sue Lindsay, Jim Specht

Institutions: The University of Queensland, National Museum of Ethnology, University of Oxford, Australian Museum, The University of Sydney

Language: English

Topic: Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies

Subfield: Geography, Planning and Development

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: University of Pittsburgh, La Trobe University, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

OpenAlex ID: W2117447923

FWCI: 6.064

Cites: 56

Cited by: 10

Related to: 10