Cooking with stones : An ethnoarchaeological study of stone oven cooking strategies in island Melanesia

Date
2008
Authors
Nojima, Yoko
Contributor
Advisor
Department
Instructor
Depositor
Speaker
Researcher
Consultant
Interviewer
Annotator
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Volume
Number/Issue
Starting Page
Ending Page
Alternative Title
Abstract
Description
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2008.
The archaeological record from Vanuatu, most of which falls into the early settlement period, exhibits a wide range of related stone oven features. Such patterning is suggestive of practices that are exploratory, rather than having an already established cooking strategy. The appearance of distinctive local technological variants that is detected at Arapus site on Efate, then, may indicate the process of local adaptation and diversification.
The examination of contemporary cooking practices demonstrates that stone oven cooking is a complex technological system shaped by a range of ecological, social, and historical factors. In a sense, various styles of oven structures and cooking strategies are linked to certain food types such as taro and yams. However, the examination of ethnographic stone ovens from northern Vanuatu eliminates any simplistic causal relationship between a specific cooking style and particular foods. Conversely, there are multiple technological options to be taken, depending on how people in a given society conceptualize their cooking system. While ecological factors circumscribe the range of possible alternatives, factors such as cultural values and sociopolitical relations among the people also play an important role in determining the technological process.
This dissertation examines the diversity of stone oven cooking strategies in northern Vanuatu, located in central Melanesia. Using an ethnoarchaeological research method, this study explores the variability of cooking practices in two regions with contrasting ecological settings (Northwest Santo, Malo, and other islands). This study aims to identify factors affecting the development and diversification of stone oven cooking technologies. Cooking with pots, another method whose use is confined to certain regions in Melanesia, is also taken into account in light of understanding the loss of pottery in Pacific prehistory. Employing an anthropology of technology framework which incorporates the active role of agency, provided a comprehensive perspective viewpoint in evaluating stone oven cooking strategies and related culinary practices.
This dissertation is comprised of two parts: an ethnoarchaeological research section presenting the detailed description of contemporary stone oven cooking strategies, including the experimental study examining the heat effects of stone oven cooking, and the detailed documentation of archaeological features reflecting possible stone oven cooking activities.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves xxx-xxx).
Also available by subscription via World Wide Web
400 leaves, bound 29 cm
Keywords
Citation
Extent
Format
Geographic Location
Time Period
Related To
Theses for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (University of Hawaii at Manoa). Anthropology; no. 5118
Table of Contents
Rights
All UHM dissertations and theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission from the copyright owner.
Rights Holder
Local Contexts
Email libraryada-l@lists.hawaii.edu if you need this content in ADA-compliant format.