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Removal of Exogenous Materials from the Outer Portion of Frozen Cores to Investigate the Ancient Biological Communities Harbored Inside
Published on: July 3, 2016
Mid-recent human occupation and resource exploitation in the bismarck archipelago
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|February 24, 1978
Summary
Early human settlers in the Bismarck Archipelago utilized distant stone resources. Later inhabitants, after 3000 years ago, shifted to local materials, supporting gradual Melanesian settlement.
Area of Science:
- Archaeology
- Anthropology
- Geoscience
Background:
- The Bismarck Archipelago has been inhabited for 6000–7500 years.
- Understanding early human migration patterns in Oceania is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in stone tool sourcing over time in New Ireland.
- To evaluate models of Melanesian settlement based on resource utilization.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of artifact provenance (stone and obsidian sources).
- Radiocarbon dating of archaeological layers.
- Comparison of early and later settlement periods.
Main Results:
- Early inhabitants (before 3000 years ago) used widely dispersed stone sources, including Talasea obsidian.
- Later inhabitants (after 3000 years ago) utilized more local stone sources or obsidian from Lou Island or Talasea.
- Observed changes in resource use correlate with settlement chronology.
Conclusions:
- The shift in stone sourcing supports a gradualist model for Melanesian settlement.
- Resource management and adaptation strategies evolved with settlement duration.
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