Origins of agriculture at Kuk swamp in the highlands of New Guinea

• Authors : Denham, T.; Haberle, S.G.; Lentfer, C.; Fullagar, R.; Field, J.; Therin, M.; Porch, N.; Winsborough, B.


• Document type : Journal article


• Year of publication : 2003


• Journal title : Science


• Volume (number) : 301 (5630)




• Pages : 189-193


• Peer-reviewed : Yes


• ISSN : 0036-8075; 1095-9203


• Language(s) : English


• Abstract : Multidisciplinary investigations at Kuk swamp in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea show that agriculture arose independently in New Guinea by at least 6950 to 6440 calibrated years before the present (cal yr BP.). Plant exploitation and some cultivation occurred on the wetland margin at 10,220 to 9910 cal yr BP. (phase 1), mounding cultivation began by 6950 to 6440 cal yr B.P. (phase 2), and ditched cultivation began by 4350 to 3980 cal yr B.P. (phase 3). Clearance of lower montane rainforests began in the early Holocene, with modification to grassland at 6950 to 6440 cal yr B.P. Tara (Colocasia esculenta) was utilized in the early Holocene, and bananas (Musa spp.) were intensively cultivated by at least 6950 to 6440 cal yr B.P.


• Keywords : DOMESTICATION; ORIGIN; PAPUA NEW GUINEA; PHYTOLITHS; ARCHAEOBOTANY


• Open access : No


• Document on publisher's site : View article on publisher's site


• Musalit document ID : IN040208

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