Returning to Makekur: Re-evaluating the Occupational Sequence of the Early-Middle Lapita Site of Makekur (FOH), Arawe Islands, Papua New Guinea

Abstract

The site of Makekur, located in the Arawe Islands of Papua New Guinea, has for some years been considered unique amongst the sites of the Lapita distribution. Representing one of the earliest Lapita sites in the region to have evidence of long-term continuing occupation from the Early through to at least the Middle Periods, the radiocarbon and pottery records of Makekur form a key foundation for understanding not just the lives of the Lapita people that called it home, but also the emergence of the Lapita Cultural Complex and the changes it underwent over time and space.However, a new chronology proposed by Specht and Gosden (2019) has raised doubts as to the validity of these original interpretations. This study uses Bayesian statistical analysis and stylistic analysis to re-assess the radiocarbon chronology, form and decoration of pottery assemblages from Makekur. It looks to understand whether a multi-phase occupation spanning the Early to Middle Periods can be identified within both the radiocarbon and ceramic records, and in so doing evaluates the reliability of the stylistic attributes used to differentiate deposits of differing ages. The study concludes that Makekur was occupied during the Early Period between 3274 and 2803 cal. B.P. and continued into the Middle Period starting between 3059 and 2889 cal. B.P., followed by slightly later occupational events in the same period between 2998 and 2855 cal. B.P. and approximately 2709–1402 cal. B.P. Finally, it further concludes that pottery of the Early and Middle Periodswas stylistically unique, and clearly delineated between deposits of differing ages.