Koey Ngurtai: the emergence of a ritual domain in Western Torres Strait
Article
Article Title | Koey Ngurtai: the emergence of a ritual domain in Western Torres Strait |
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ERA Journal ID | 7916 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | David, Bruno (Author), McNiven, Ian J. (Author), Crouch, Joe (Author), Hewitt, Geoffrey (Author), Skelly, Robert (Author), Barker, Bryce (Author) and Courtney, Kris (Author) |
Journal Title | Archaeology in Oceania |
Journal Citation | 44 (1), pp. 1-17 |
Number of Pages | 17 |
Year | 2009 |
Place of Publication | Sydney, Australia |
ISSN | 0003-8121 |
1834-4453 | |
Abstract | Koey Ngurtai is a small, uninhabited island located midway between the residential islands of Badu and Mahuyag in western Torres Strait. In 2003 and 2004, 100% surveys of the islet revealed 166 cultural sites. Fifty archaeological excavations were undertaken, revealing a rich history of islet use culminating with the emergence of Koey Ngurtai as a ritual centre after 550-700 cal BP, and a proliferation of ritual structures focused on dugong hunting magic after 350-550 cal BP. Shortly after the arrival of colonial powers in Torres Strait in the 1870s. including pearl shelling and missionary activity, Koey Ngurtai's ritual status was again transformed. This paper reports on these archaeological investigations and historicises Koey Ngurtai as a ritual land-and-seascape |
Keywords | Koey Ngurtai; Torres Strait; cultural sites |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 450101. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander archaeology |
450199. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, language and history not elsewhere classified | |
450107. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history | |
Public Notes | File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author. |
Byline Affiliations | Monash University |
La Trobe University | |
School of Humanities and Communication |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/9z2zw/koey-ngurtai-the-emergence-of-a-ritual-domain-in-western-torres-strait
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David_McNiven_Crouch_MuraBCC_Skelly_Barker_Courtney_Hewitt_2009_PV.pdf | ||
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