Recent Archaeological Research in the Loyalty Islands of New Caledonia

摘要: ABSTRACT Recent archaeological research in the Loyalty Islands of New Caledonia has added to our understanding region's culture history. Excavations at nine primarily rockshelter sites on islands Ouvea, Lifou, and Mare suggest that earliest human occupation Islands, as with Caledonia, is attributed Lapita complex; there no preceramic tradition evident these sites. Along dentate-stamped pottery, age ceramics are associated other forms decoration have not been described previously. The assemblage assemblages from subsequent occupations produced pottery lithic materials suggestive continuous but diminishing interaction over time main island Caledonia. Several contain deposits record transition recent history arrival European voyagers missionaries region. KEYWORDS: Lapita, history, Melanesian archaeology. THE PREHISTORIC CULTURE HISTORY (Fig. 1), located east Grande Terre (the island) one lesser known among those Caledonian archipelago southern Melanesia. Indeed, few modern programs had conducted before 1990. Oral traditions preserve stories about islands' settlement by different groups, creation chiefdoms, land divisions or places linked major events (e.g., Dubois 1976; Guiart 1963, 1992; Illouz 1985). Although often a chronological frame intended justify present-day social positions, they do allow us completely reconstruct past done elsewhere Pacific Kirch Yen 1982). Since 1992, Province, now responsible for its heritage, initiated program surveys excavations, including first general study characteristics prehistoric occupations. This program, also financed French state, local Department Archaeology. [Figure 1 ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] paper presents some results obtained during surveys, especially salvage excavations between 1993 1995 three islands. One studies undertaken Archaeology focus rockshelters discovered order identify remains early sites, which less disturbed than cultivatable areas sand dunes. marks attempt Islands. part this details discoveries made. analysis provides basis synopsis chronology BACKGROUND consists Ouvea (132 [km.sup.2]), Lifou (1196 (642 surrounded number smaller various sizes. Constructed basaltic platform, composed uplifted coral platforms varying elevations. an atoll eastern part, wide lagoon. platforms, flattened central area corresponding former lagoon higher cliffs related reef. Some summits Island 140 m high. shorelines can be divided low areas, where quartenary dunes sometimes formed, high cliffs, showing notches sea levels. No streams present archipelago. Apart Mare, small source easily identifiable basalt Rawa, formed lithology stone sources sedimentary formation present. …