Middle to late Holocene near-shore foraging strategies at Caution Bay, Papua New Guinea
Article
Article Title | Middle to late Holocene near-shore foraging strategies at Caution Bay, Papua New Guinea |
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ERA Journal ID | 210793 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Faulkner, Patrick (Author), Thangavelu, Anbarasu (Author), Ferguson, Redbird (Author), Aird, Samantha J. (Author), David, Bruno (Author), Drury, Tanya (Author), Rowe, Cassandra (Author), Barker, Bryce (Author), McNiven, Ian J. (Author), Richards, Thomas (Author), Leavelsey, Matthew (Author), Asmussen, Brit (Author), Lamb, Lara (Author) and Ulm, Sean (Author) |
Journal Title | Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports |
Journal Citation | 34 (A), pp. 1-14 |
Article Number | 102629 |
Number of Pages | 14 |
Year | 2020 |
Place of Publication | Netherlands |
ISSN | 2352-409X |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2020.102629 |
Abstract | Caution Bay, on the South Coast of Papua New Guinea, offers a unique opportunity to assess the possible impacts of predation by pre-Lapita, Lapita, and post-Lapita peoples on local mollusc resources from at least 5000 years ago. Using biometric analysis of the bivalve Anadara antiquata and gastropod Conomurex luhuanus from the site of Tanamu 1, we examine trends in size and maturity variability through time. Results indicate a reduction in valve size of A. antiquata from c. 5000–2800 cal BP (the pre-Lapita period) to c. 2800–2750 cal BP (falling during the Lapita period), while C. luhuanus undergoes a change in maturity categories between the Lapita period and c. 700–100 cal BP (post-Lapita), with the latter containing lower proportions of both immature and mature individuals. Considering that these two mollusc taxa have the capacity to resist high predation pressures through their reproductive strategies and growth rates, in combination with low discard rates throughout Tanamu 1, it is unlikely that the observed trends are solely related to human predation. Rather, set against a context of significant environmental variability and shifting habitats through time, the pre-Lapita, Lapita, and post-Lapita phases represent significant socio-economic changes, whereby there is a shift from mobile foraging to an increasing reliance upon agriculture. It is therefore likely that there were a range of environmental and socio- economic factors influencing mollusc harvesting and the foraging economy more broadly through time. |
Keywords | archaeomalacology; marine subsistence; coastal foraging; biometric analysis; Lapita |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 430101. Archaeological science |
451301. Archaeology of New Guinea and Pacific Islands (excl. New Zealand) | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | University of Sydney |
Centre for Heritage and Culture | |
James Cook University | |
Monash University | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q5z8y/middle-to-late-holocene-near-shore-foraging-strategies-at-caution-bay-papua-new-guinea
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