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Digging it: an archaeologist's working life

Kretowicz Ewa. 2009. .
Digging it: an archaeologist's working life
ARTICLE, (2009 ) - SUBMITTEDVERSION - English (en-GB)

OPENACCESS - Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy.
Audience : NEWS_MEDIA
Canberra Times
Subject
Archaeology, Pottery, Vanuatu, Islanders, New Caledonia, Southeast Solomons, Bones, Museum, Tattoo, Culture, Cemetery, Rituals, Exchanges, Designs, Mother-Daughter Transmission, Mobility
Domains
Archéologie, Sciences Sociales, Sciences humaines
Description

The paper discusses the discovery of pottery in Vanuatu, indicating the presence of early islanders. The pottery includes locally made items as well as some from New Caledonia and the south-east Solomons. The bones found at the site are sent back to Vanuatu and kept respectfully in a special room at the museum. The archaeologist who made the discovery plans to get a tattoo of the pottery design as a tribute to the culture. The cemetery where the bones were found was only in use for about 100 years before being abandoned. The paper also mentions the use of pottery in rituals and exchanges, with designs passed down from mother to daughter. The pottery indicates that the islanders were mobile. Some pots were fired at a higher temperature but not decorated, as they were meant for practical use rather than display.

Keywords
Language
English (en-GB)
Creators
Kretowicz, Ewa
Contributors
Spriggs, M.
Sources
Canberra Times, 23 April 2009.
Relation
Coverage
Vanuatu, Teouma Site
Name of newspaper