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

Authors

  • Natalie Blake University of Sydney
  • Martin Gibbs University of Sydney

Keywords:

Solomon Islands archaeology, Solomon Islands burial, late prehistory, Spanish colony, Mendaña expedition

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.

Author Biographies

Natalie Blake, University of Sydney

University of Sydney

PhD Candidate

Martin Gibbs, University of Sydney

Senior Lecturer

Department of Archaeology

University of Sydney

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Published

01-08-2013

How to Cite

Blake, N. and Gibbs, M. (2013) “Late Prehistoric Burial Structures, and a burial possibly associated with 16th century Spanish contact at Pamua, Makira, Southeast Solomon Islands”, Journal of Pacific Archaeology, 4(2), pp. 69–78. Available at: https://pacificarchaeology.org/index.php/journal/article/view/BlakeGibbs (Accessed: 28 March 2024).

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Section

Articles