Late Prehistoric Burial Structures, and a burial possibly associated with 16th century Spanish contact at Pamua, Makira, Southeast Solomon Islands

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of results from surveys and excavations of a series of coral and stone-lined structures at the abandoned village site of Mwanihuki (SB-4-6), located on the island of Makira in the southeast Solomon Islands. It synthesizes data collected from 1971-75 by Green and Kaschko with new data collected by the authors in 2010-11. Preliminary results indicate the majority of the regularly sided coral structures are burial structures containing several different burial types. These are compared to ethnographically and archaeologically recorded examples of burials from adjacent regions. However, an anomalous structure may be associated with the 1595 visit to and possible occupation of the area by Spanish colonists associated with the failed Mendaña expedition.