Archaeological evidence for mid‐Holocene agriculture in the interior of Papua New Guinea: a critical review

Abstract

AbstractClaims for the early and independent origins of agriculture in New Guinea partially rest on the archaeological evidence for mid‐Holocene drainage and land use at five sites in the interior. The five sites are Kuk, Kana, Mugumamp and Warrawau in the Wahgi Valley and Ruti Flats in the Lower Jimi Valley, all in Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. The archaeological remains, morphological comparisons and chronological correlations at each site are critically evaluated. Problems with the constitution of the mid‐Holocene remains are raised, with claims for agricultural remains at two sites, Kana and Ruti Flats, considered questionable on the available, published evidence. The archaeological remains at Kuk, Mugumamp and Warrawau consist of palaeosurfaces interpreted to represent prehistoric cultivation using mounds.