The paper, written by Matthew Spriggs, provides a detailed account of Aubrey Laurence Parke's life, career, and contributions to archaeology, particularly in Fiji. ​ Born in 1925, Parke came from a family with a rich history in cricket, military, and legal service. ​ He developed an early interest in archaeology, participating in significant excavations from a young age. ​ After serving in the Royal Air Force during World War II, he pursued higher education at Oxford and later joined the British Colonial Service, which led him to Fiji in 1951.

Parke's work in Fiji spanned 20 years, during which he held various administrative positions and conducted extensive archaeological research. ​ Despite limited institutional support, he made significant contributions to the understanding of Fijian and Rotuman archaeology, blending oral traditions with archaeological findings. ​ His work was initially overshadowed by other scholars, but he later published numerous papers and monographs, particularly between 1993 and 2003. ​

Parke's dedication to archaeology continued even after moving to Canberra, where he obtained advanced degrees and completed a PhD at nearly 81 years old. ​ His contributions were eventually recognized, although much of his archive was lost after his death in 2007. ​ The paper highlights Parke's significant yet underappreciated role in Pacific archaeology and his innovative approach to integrating oral traditions with archaeological research. ​