New Guinea Highlands Research Articles

Holocene tephras in the New Guinea highlands: Explosive volcanism in the Bismarck arc produces chronostratigraphic markers for interdisciplinary study

In the highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG), tephras are key chronostratigraphic markers for archaeological and palaeoenvironmental studies. Here, mid-Late-Holocene tephras are geochemically fingerprinted and correlated across seventeen sites in PNG. This enables the first regional scale assessment of the distribution of these tephras, with implications for both assessing eruption magnitude and interpreting site stratigraphy. In the past, stratigraphic relationships have been key to much of the tephra identification done in PNG. Fingerprinting presented here shows that tephras may be either locally or regionally absent, as a result of poor preservation or regional distribution patterns, reinforcing the need for geochemical identification. Fingerprinting has also allowed tephras to be correlated with their source volcano. In a number of cases (e.g. Kuning and Mun tephras), this has enabled significant refinement of tephra ages, as source eruptions have been accurately dated using charcoal in proximal pyroclastic sequences. This has significant implications for regional archaeological and palaeoenvironmental studies. Of the six regionally widespread tephras emplaced over the last 4–5 ka in PNG, four are sourced from either Long Island or Karkar volcanoes in the western Bismarck Arc, while two are the result of eruptions from Dakataua and Witori volcanoes in New Britain. Discovery on the PNG mainland of tephras sourced from New Britain significantly increases the known distribution of products from these eruptions, suggesting current evaluations of eruption magnitude may be underestimates.

An indigenous safehouse project for survivors of witchcraft accusation in the highlands of Papua New Guinea

An indigenous safehouse project for survivors of witchcraft accusation in the highlands of Papua New Guinea

A new species of treefrog (Litoria: Pelodryadidae) from the karstic South-fold Mountains of New Guinea.

The frog fauna of New Guinea is exceptionally diverse but very poorly known. Here we describe a new species of pelodryadid treefrog that is currently known only from two specimens from a single site in Hela Province in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Genetic data show that the new species is closely related to the torrent-breeding species Litoria angiana (Boulenger, 1915) from which it can be readily distinguished by its more slender body and limbs, relatively long forelimbs, and aspects of body colouration and tuberculation. The type locality is on Gigira Ridge, a massive limestone spur extending off New Guinea's Central Cordillera and we hypothesise that the distinctive slender limbs and relatively long forelimbs of the species may be adaptations for clambering, either in complex montane forest habitats or potentially within karst. The ongoing discovery of rare and seemingly localised frog species in Melanesia emphasises that recent estimates of a regional anuran fauna in excess of 700 species that were derived from known candidate species are likely conservative.

A recent date for the dog (Canis familiaris) from Mapala Rockshelter and implications for associated mammal community changes in subalpine Highland West New Guinea

The arrival of the dog (Canis familiaris) in Australasia is believed to have had major impacts on the region’s ecosystems as well as human society and organisation. Very little is known about the antiquity of the dog in New Guinea due to a paucity of fossil specimens of secure antiquity, particularly in the Highlands. Here, we report the direct dating of a partial dog cranium from Mapala Rockshelter, a subalpine site at ∼4000 m asl in the Sudirman Range. Recovered in 1972 from a bone-rich layer in the cave floor above a basal charcoal date of about 5500 BP, this individual has been considered a possible early example of dog in Australasia. An Accelerator Mass Spectrometry date from maxillary bone shows that the Mapala dog is far more recent (491 ± 19 BP, or 536–501 cal BP). Our finding is of relevance to understanding the antiquity of dog in the Highlands of New Guinea, and also for the wild dog populations which exist across this large area. The date is also the first for the site’s mammal-rich fossiliferous sedimentary unit, providing a chronological context for Late Holocene turnover in the composition of the local fauna. The most notable of these changes include the regional extinction of two Thylogale spp. and the invasion of Pseudochirops cupreus into subalpine western New Guinea environments.

Yield performance of virus free sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) cultivars in the highlands of Papua New Guinea

ABSTRACT Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is the dominant staple food crop in the Highlands Provinces in Papua New Guinea (PNG), but productivity is constrained by pests and diseases including viral pathogens. Meristem-tip culture and thermotherapy can be used to eliminate viral pathogens in planting material, overcoming productivity constraints caused by viral infections. In this study, the performance of four PNG sweetpotato cultivars grown from virus-cleaned or farmer-sourced planting material were assessed at four production locations in PNG Highlands Provinces. Total root yields were significantly increased in three of the four cultivars by using virus-cleaned material, with root number and root weight increasing as well as root quality. A weak interaction between the origin region of a cultivar and trial site location was observed, suggesting that response to virus-cleaning may be lower when cultivars selected for tolerance to pathogens in a production region are grown in the same region after virus-cleaning. The results demonstrated that under traditional production practices in gardens frequently used for sweetpotato production, the use of virus-cleaned planting material is a viable practice for farmers aiming to transition from subsistence production to commercial production.

‘Ap Lisurug’ Mekanisme Pertukaran Babi dalam Budaya Yali

This article describes pig exchange parties in the Yali people in the Highlands of New Guinea. This study aims to describe activities related to pig exchange mechanisms, processes, meanings, and values. This study used a descriptive method of participation with observation techniques, direct participation, and in-depth interviews with key informants involved in planning, leading, and conducting these activities. The Method of analysis identifies the value, meaning, and purpose of the activity. The results described that this activity is an important dance party for the community as a mechanism for exchanging pigs with many other cultural values. The meanings and values found are economic values that include exchanging pigs and eating pork together, social values related to togetherness, kinship, and marriage relationships, political values to improve social status, strengthen solidarity, eliminate fatigue from various activities, and increase new spirit expressed through song and dance, as well as many other aspects.

Ecosystem services in coffee agroforestry: their potential to improve labour efficiency amongst smallholder coffee producers

This paper investigates the potential labour efficiencies and socio-cultural benefits of agroforestry for coffee smallholders practising low input production strategies. Employing both qualitative and quantitative methods, our case study of coffee smallholders in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, shows that despite managing very small holdings of coffee trees (< 500 trees), productivity is challenged by labour shortages and by very low levels of farm inputs. Constraints on labour supply include barriers to mobilising women’s labour; competition for labour from alternative livelihoods; the absence of a market in hired labour; and the time, labour and income demands of the indigenous socio-economy. The indigenous social economy draws heavily on smallholders’ time, labour and coffee income, to the extent that there is little labour for coffee garden maintenance and little coffee income invested in other farm inputs. To address these input shortfalls we explore the potential of ecosystem services from shade-grown coffee to generate labour efficiencies to partly fill some of the unmet maintenance requirements of coffee gardens and to partly fill the role of other farm inputs. Coffee extension must become more holistic and consider smallholder families’ diverse livelihoods and recognise the enduring nature of the low input production strategy, its socio-cultural value, its role in determining life quality, and thus its resistance to change. Extension must align with, rather than challenge, the low input production strategy to promote the potential labour efficiencies and benefits of agroforestry to create more resilient, sustainable and culturally-enriching coffee-based farming systems.

Late Quaternary history of the Gumants catchment, Papua New Guinea

The Gumants River, rising on the eastern flank of the Mount Hagen stratovolcano, forms part of the headwater catchment of the Wahgi River in the central highlands of Papua New Guinea. The late Quaternary history of the catchment was shaped by a massive debris avalanche with an estimated volume >15 km3 that most likely occurred 400 ± 100 ka. The Upper Gumants River, which occupies about one-quarter of the 420 km2 catchment and underlain almost entirely by volcanic deposits including the avalanche, lahars and widespread airfall tephras that ceased falling ca 200 ka, once flowed directly to the Wahgi River through the Guga subcatchment rather than through the rest of the Gumants Basin. The Kuk Swamp part of the Guga catchment, intensively investigated for evidence of agriculture stretching back 10 ka, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008. Nearly 40% of the 79 km2 of the Kugimi Basin is underlain by at least 30 m of swamp deposits with all but the uppermost few metres of the varied swamp and alluvial deposits beyond the range of radiocarbon dating. The Muga Basin forms nearly half of the Gumants catchment with about 50 km2 of swamp deposits and colluvial/alluvial sediments, which have been accumulating rapidly in the last few hundred years but are still underlain at a depth of a few metres by ancient sediments and, by inference, debris avalanche deposits that extend downvalley beyond the junction of the Gumants River with the Wahgi River. While there has been speculation for decades that the Wahgi River once flowed westward, it is now clear that the Gumants River has always flowed eastward, and it seems very likely that that is also true of the Wahgi River.

Assessing socioeconomic impact of pathogen tested and conventional practice sweet potato production in the highlands of Papua New Guinea

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a major staple food crop in Papua New Guinea (PNG), grown extensively in the high-altitude Highlands as a subsistence food crop by smallholder farmers and it is developing into commercial production for cash income. However, pests and diseases attack remain a major challenge. Most of the PNG farmers do not practice an active pests and diseases management, which has a significant impact on the yield and farmers' income. Few farmers have opted to use cultural practices, though these methods are ineffective and expensive. An alternative intervention technology through Pathogen Tested (PT) seeds as a part of Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) technology was trialed in three different zones in the Highlands of PNG and compared with the Conventional Practice (CP). The study was done using farmer participatory research approach (FPR). Pre-designed structured questionnaires were administered to collect data for yield, costs, income, and farmer's perception. The Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) analysis was used to compare the costs, benefits, and net incomes. T-test statistics was used to compare the mean yield. The farmer perception was summarized using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that marketable sweet potato yield was significantly (P < 0.01) improved with implementation of the PT practice compared to the CP. The improvement in storage root yield had subsequent result in the net income doubled for the farmers. The yield and quality of storage roots had significant influence on the farmers' perception towards adoption of the IPDM technology.

Hearing Durational Process in A Huli Song

Hearing Durational Process in A Huli Song

Middle–Upper Pleistocene tephras in the Papua New Guinea highlands

Eighteen Middle–Upper Pleistocene (ca 200 ka) tephra units in the highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG) are mapped and described. The study area is about 24 000 km2, extending from Tari in the west to Kainantu and the Kassam Pass in the east. It is estimated that at least 75 000 km2 of highland PNG received ≥50 cm tephra from various highland sources, and the total volume would have been well over 300 km3. Total tephra thicknesses near sources are >20 m, with thicknesses of individual units near source ranging from 1–2 to >4 m. Several units were deposited with coarse ash and lapilli basal layers that have been weathered to fine ash and clay sizes. Hagen, Giluwe and Yelia volcanoes are the main sources, with smaller centres near Giluwe and north of Hagen also producing mappable tephra units. One unit (Birip) was erupted about 40 ka, but most of the tephra units are 200 ka and older. Volumes of tephra suggest that many of the eruptions had volcanic explosivity indices of 4–6. On stable bedrock, tephras are present on slopes up to 35°, demonstrating the high stability of the tephra materials. Gaps in the tephra cover coincide with bedrock that weathers to unstable regolith where tephras did not accumulate; the tephra cover thus provides an indicator of bedrock stability. Mapped tephra units provide the potential for correlation of other Quaternary materials and can be used as widespread marker beds. The tephras are also important as the parent material for the dominant agricultural soils in the highlands.

Matt Ottley: inspiration through sound and colour

Born in 1962 in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, I am an artist, writer, and composer. I live with the condition of synaesthesia, so sound, colour, and shape have always been intricately connected for me, and the compositions for my paintings often come directly from music. I have created around 30 picture books for children and young adults, although many of them are suitable for audiences of all ages. Some of my most awarded titles are Requiem for a Beast (2007), Teacup (by Rebecca Young, 2015), The Incredible Freedom Machines (by Kirli Saunders, 2018), and How to Make a Bird (by Meg McKinlay, 2020).

Phylodynamic signatures in the emergence of community-associated MRSA

Community-associated, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) lineages have emerged in many geographically distinct regions around the world during the past 30 y. Here, we apply consistent phylodynamic methods across multiple community-associated MRSA lineages to describe and contrast their patterns of emergence and dissemination. We generated whole-genome sequencing data for the Australian sequence type (ST) ST93-MRSA-IV from remote communities in Far North Queensland and Papua New Guinea, and the Bengal Bay ST772-MRSA-V clone from metropolitan communities in Pakistan. Increases in the effective reproduction number (Re) and sustained transmission (Re > 1) coincided with spread of progenitor methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) in remote northern Australian populations, dissemination of the ST93-MRSA-IV genotype into population centers on the Australian East Coast, and subsequent importation into the highlands of Papua New Guinea and Far North Queensland. Applying the same phylodynamic methods to existing lineage datasets, we identified common signatures of epidemic growth in the emergence and epidemiological trajectory of community-associated S. aureus lineages from America, Asia, Australasia, and Europe. Surges in Re were observed at the divergence of antibiotic-resistant strains, coinciding with their establishment in regional population centers. Epidemic growth was also observed among drug-resistant MSSA clades in Africa and northern Australia. Our data suggest that the emergence of community-associated MRSA in the late 20th century was driven by a combination of antibiotic-resistant genotypes and host epidemiology, leading to abrupt changes in lineage-wide transmission dynamics and sustained transmission in regional population centers.

Re‐evaluating the evidence for late‐surviving megafauna at Nombe rockshelter in the New Guinea highlands

AbstractThe causes of the Late Pleistocene extinction of most larger‐bodied animals on the Australian continent have long been controversial. This is due, in no small part, to inadequate knowledge of exactly when these species were lost from different ecosystems. The Nombe rockshelter in the highlands of Papua New Guinea is one of very few sites on Sahul with as‐yet‐unrefuted evidence for the survival of megafaunal species until more recently than 40 thousand years (ka) ago. However, our understanding of the age of this site has been based on radiocarbon dating. Here we present new U–Th ages on large marsupial specimens from the deposit and identify a range of postcranial elements to species that include the diprotodontid Hulitherium tomasettii, kangaroo Protemnodon tumbuna and thylacine Thylacinus cynocephalus. Direct U–Th ages of 27–22 ka ago on faunal remains of Protemnodon tumbuna and another large unidentified macropodid are consistent with the existing radiocarbon chronology, yet are minimum ages due to the potential for post‐depositional uptake of 238U and stratigraphic reworking. Pollen analyses indicate perhumid, montane forests dominated by Nothofagus persisted, with minimal human disturbance from at least c.26–20 ka ago up to the terminal Pleistocene. Collagen fingerprinting (ZooMS) demonstrates the potential of protein‐based identification of megafaunal remains at Nombe in the future. This study leaves open the possibility of extended coexistence between some megafaunal species in the montane rainforests of New Guinea and intermittently visiting groups of people, and underscores the need for further investigation of the Nombe deposit. Although preliminary, these findings reinforce the view that debates regarding megafaunal extinctions on Sahul require a greater appreciation of species‐specific temporalities and the degrees of human impact on diverse habitats across the continent.

MicroCT scanning and direct AMS dating of charred sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) fragments from Nombe rockshelter in the highlands of Papua New Guinea

AbstractHere, we report on the results of microCT scanning and Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating of fragments of charred archaeological parenchyma collected from surface deposits at Nombe rockshelter in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Five fragments are taxonomically identified as sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). Two subsamples from the largest fragment yield a combined AMS date range of c. 300–148 calBP (with median probabilities of 187 and 195 calBP respectively). Although post‐dating European voyaging in the Indo‐Pacific, these findings contribute to the corpus of information regarding the antiquity of sweet potato on the island of New Guinea.

Effects of Mechanical and Thermal Forcing on the Enhancement and Ingredients of Orographic Rain Associated with the 2007-08 Madden-Julian Oscillation Passing the New Guinea Highlands

In this study, the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was adopted to investigate the mechanical and thermal forcing effects associated with the New Guinea Highland (NGH) on Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) propagation and rainfall formation and enhancement mechanisms over the island of New Guinea. Our results show that both forces affect the propagation of the MJO07-08, resulting in orographic rainfall production. Even though each forcing helps produce orographic rainfall, the mechanical forcing of the NGH plays a much larger role in the orographic blocking than the thermal forcing. We also found two flow regimes associated with the propagation of MJO07-08 over the NGH. First, in the flow-around regime, the MJO and its associated convective system split around the NGH due to the strong orographic blocking. We can observe this splitting when looking at the splitting stage. Second, the flow-over regime could occur when the mountain is lower than its original height or the flow has a smaller Froude number. A series of numerical experiments indicate that the maximum orographic rainfall increases with increased mountain height; however, the maximum orographic rain decreases when the flow transitions to the flow-around regime. Finally, some common ingredients for orographic rainfall associated with the MJO07-08 passing over the NGH are consistent with those found for tropical cyclones passing over mountains.

Acquisition of Tok Pisin phonology in the multilingual highlands of Papua New Guinea

Purpose: Papua New Guinea (PNG) has extreme linguistic diversity reflected in its three national languages and sociolinguistic diversity comprising over 380 vernaculars or Tokples, English and the lingua francas, which include Tok Pisin (TP). This first clinical cross-sectional study of consonant acquisition in TP-speaking children sought to identify universal features and the impact of age on phonological development. Method: A local picture naming task was developed and used to elicit a speech sample from 80 children (aged 3;0–6;11). Phonetic and phonemic inventories and developmental phonological processes were analysed across the sample and also in 12-month age groups. Result: Statistically significant differences were found between the Percentage Consonants Correct (PCC) of the 3YO and other age groups. Mean PCC increased with age, but high variation within age groups meant differences were not statistically significant. Universal features observed included the early acquisition of plosives and late mastery of /r/. Language-specific features included processes such as fricatisation and earlier acquisition of /ʤ/ before /s/. Creolisation was seen in morphophonemic condensation and the influence of loanwords. Conclusion: This study demonstrates both universal and language-specific features amidst wide diversity influencing phonological acquisition in creolising TP. This first phonological study of TP consonant development will inform future clinical speech-language pathology practice in PNG.

Genus Anthomyia Meigen (Diptera, Anthomyiidae) in New Guinea

The New Guinean fauna of Anthomyiidae was never considered before. It is represented by the genus Anthomyia. Previous data on the New Guinean Anthomyia are discussed. A. acklandi sp. nov. from highlands (above 3300 m a. s. l.) of New Guinea is described. The male of A. fumipennis Stein, 1919, previously known from a single female, is described. The widespread A. illocata is newly reported for Papua Province of Indonesia. The identification key for New Guinean Anthomyia is offered.

Forest landscapes increase diversity of honeybee diets in the tropics

Honeybees (Apis mellifera) depend entirely on floral resources (pollen and nectar) in their surrounding landscape to satisfy their dietary needs. Honeybee diets in temperate areas have been well studied, and there is increasing evidence that floral diversity is critical for honeybee health. Tropical forests often contain high floral diversity but honeybee diets have been rarely studied in the tropics. We aim to compare the botanical sources in bee bread between landscapes with and without surrounding forest cover in the eastern highlands of Papua New Guinea. We collected bee bread from 24 hives across 8 sites over two years and examined floral sources, diversity measures and major plant groups using DNA metabarcoding. We identified a total of 89 taxa across 34 orders, 41 families, 84 genera and 61 species of botanical sources in bee bread. Bee bread from hives in sites with surrounding forest contained significantly greater species diversity (H’ Forest = 1.4, H’ No forest = 1.1) and species evenness (J Forest = 0.68, J No forest = 0.6). Trees were the most abundant source of bee bread, regardless of landscape, and constituted 52% of total abundance. Herbaceous plants, mostly introduced species, were the second most abundant floral sources at ∼ 26% of total bee bread abundance, particularly in forest landscapes. We found the most abundant sources such as introduced tree species Leucaena leucocephala (Fabaceae) and native tree species Syzigium unipunctatum (Myrtaceae) were foraged on in both landscapes; other common species included introduced species Hylodesmum nudifloram (Facbaceae) and Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae), and native food crop Entada phaseoloides (Fabaceae). Interestingly, many wind pollinated species were found in both landscapes including Araucaria (Araucariaceae), Pinus (Pinaceae), Nothofagaceae species and Poaceae species. Our work suggests that bees are seeking out floral tree resources even in landscapes where trees are scarce. Thus beekeeping in tropical environments would benefit from preserving remaining forest cover and incorporating more trees to existing, open landscapes to optimize the diversity in honeybee diets.

Sanguma and scepticism: questioning witchcraft in the highlands of Papua New Guinea

AbstractSome anthropologists prefer clear‐cut depictions of the societies they study, preferring to ignore differences of opinion, failures of belief, and expressions of scepticism and doubt. This tendency is increasingly being challenged, and an emerging literature now explores scepticism. Contributing to this literature, I discuss the scepticism towards witchcraft expressed by my interlocutors in the Papua New Guinea highlands province of Chimbu. I do not juxtapose witchcraft to science, for witchcraft must be taken seriously – especially since accusations often have severe consequences. Expressions of scepticism bring into doubt the absolute certainty of witchcraft as the explanation for misfortunes such as illness and death, and its study provides a more nuanced picture of a society, showing how cultural norms can be transformed and the foundations of violence can be disrupted. This applies to the scepticism I heard expressed, because the challenge it poses to witchcraft accusations may help prevent further violence. An anthropology of scepticism could usefully be applied more broadly to many aspects of culture, since study of scepticism is one way of reaching an understanding of how social change occurs.