A practice-centred approach to Uneapa Island's archaeology in a long-term context
Recent archaeological research on Uneapa Island, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea has uncovered a rich and varied archaeological landscape, unique within the surrounding region. Locales range from single stones to large-scale complexes of over three hundred arranged stone features. 'Seats' and tables', stone mortars, cooking places, grinding stones and carved boulders have been found in various contexts and locations throughout the island. Uneapa islanders are divided in their attitude to these features, opinions range from expressions of indifference to passionate engagement and specialist knowledge. Most locales are remembered as being clan meeting places (lupuanga mudina (U)), used up to the time of European contact public arenas in which a range of social activities took place, including oratory, song and dance performances, cooking, feasting and cannibalism etc. Although most locales seem to have been abandoned after European contact, certain groups continue to actively interact with these places through processes of re-erecting and re locating the stone features. This thesis argues that social practice needs more serious consideration in the interpretation of monumental landscapes. The fracas with
Byrne, Sarah Elizabeth
A practice-centred approach to Uneapa Island's archaeology in a long-term context. Recent archaeological research on Uneapa Island, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea has uncovered a rich and varied archaeological landscape, unique within the surrounding region. Locales range from single stones to large-scale complexes of over three hundred arranged stone features. 'Seats' and tables', stone mortars, cooking places, grinding stones and carved boulders have been found in various contexts and locations throughout the island. Uneapa islanders are divided in their attitude to these features, opinions range from expressions of indifference to passionate engagement and specialist knowledge. Most locales are remembered as being clan meeting places (lupuanga mudina (U)), used up to the time of European contact public arenas in which a range of social activities took place, including oratory, song and dance performances, cooking, feasting and cannibalism etc. Although most locales seem to have been abandoned after European contact, certain groups continue to actively interact with these places through processes of re-erecting and re locating the stone features. This thesis argues that social practice needs more serious consideration in the interpretation of monumental landscapes. The fracas with
practice centred island archaeology long_term context recent_archaeological island west new britain new uncover rich varied archaeological_landscape unique within surround_region range single stone large_scale complex arrange stone feature table stone mortar cook place grind_stone carve find various contexts location throughout island islander divide attitude feature opinion range expression indifference passionate engagement specialist knowledge locale remember clan meeting place use time european_contact public arena range social activity_take_place include oratory song dance performance cooking feast cannibalism etc although locale seem abandon european_contact certain group continue actively interact place process locate stone feature argues social_practice need serious consideration interpretation monumental landscape