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OJP, a terminal Pleistocene archaeological site from the Gulf Province lowlands, Papua New Guinea.

Article Excerpt
Abstract

Excavations at the limestone cave site OJP, in the Kikori River lowlands, Papua New Guinea, reveal the first evidence for human activity in this part of PNG during the terminal Pleistocene. This paper reports on the initial radiocarbon results and associated cultural materials.

Keywords: PNG lowlands, Gulf Province, terminal Pleistocene, seeds, skeletal remains

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Despite over 30 years of research and numerous archaeological field programs involving both systematic and intensive surveys and excavations (e.g. Allen 1972; Frankel and Rhoads 1994; Irwin 1985; Rhoads 1980; Vanderwal 1973) until now the oldest known archaeological site from the southern lowlands of the eastern half of the island of New Guinea has remained Kukuba cave near Yule Island, dated to 3920 [+ or -] 90 BP (Vanderwal 1973). This situation contrasts with late Pleistocene and early Holocene finds from lowland sites in northern New Guinea (e.g. Lachitu; Gorecki 1991) and the Bird's Head region of West Papua (e.g. Kria, Toe; Pasveer 1998, 2004). This paper briefly reports new findings from the inland Kikori River lowlands, where a cave excavation in early 2006 identified cultural levels of terminal Pleistocene age and an assemblage comprising human skeletal materials, charcoal, burnt seeds, vertebrate faunal remains and marine shells.

OJP

PNG National Museum and Art Gallery site OJP (referred to as site KG142 in David 2006) was discovered during a cultural heritage impact study in early 2006. The site is located in Parua Uki Kopi clan lands, 40 km upstream of the Kikori River mouth, some 500 m from the river's western bank, 1.5 km south of the village of Kopi. It is found 10 m above the base of a steep limestone karst cone, at the foot of a limestone cliffline that rises...