Anderson, Atholl; Roberts, Richard; Dickinson, William; Clark, Geoffrey; Burley, David; de Biran, Antoine; Hope, Geoffrey; Nunn, Patrick

Author(s)

Anderson, Atholl

Roberts, Richard

Dickinson, William

Clark, Geoffrey

Burley, David

de Biran, Antoine

Hope, Geoffrey

Nunn, Patrick

Publication Date

2006

Abstract

The orthodox archaeological sequence at the Sigatoka Dunes site (VL 16/1) in Fiji proposes three phases of occupation spanning Fijian prehistory, each associated with a period of dune stability. It has been taken as the standard model of Fijian prehistory for more than 30 years. Recently, however, it has been argued that there is no stratigraphic support for three discrete levels and that the occupation history was fragmented, complex, and continuous within a volatile dune system. We present new data, from optical and radiocarbon dating, to argue that a three-phase model, although somewhat more complex in detail, remains the most robust interpretation of site history. The longest stable phase (Level 2) began 2500–2300 cal yr B.P. and is possibly associated with relatively low ENSO frequency. Substantial sand dune accumulation began after ~1300 cal yr B.P.

Citation

Geoarchaeology, 21(2), p. 131-154

ISSN

1520-6548

0883-6353

Link

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/7782

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons, Inc

Title

Times of Sand: Sedimentary History and Archaeology at the Sigatoka Dunes, Fiji

Type of document

Journal Article

Entity Type

Publication

Author(s)	Anderson, Atholl Roberts, Richard Dickinson, William Clark, Geoffrey Burley, David de Biran, Antoine Hope, Geoffrey Nunn, Patrick
Publication Date	2006
Abstract	The orthodox archaeological sequence at the Sigatoka Dunes site (VL 16/1) in Fiji proposes three phases of occupation spanning Fijian prehistory, each associated with a period of dune stability. It has been taken as the standard model of Fijian prehistory for more than 30 years. Recently, however, it has been argued that there is no stratigraphic support for three discrete levels and that the occupation history was fragmented, complex, and continuous within a volatile dune system. We present new data, from optical and radiocarbon dating, to argue that a three-phase model, although somewhat more complex in detail, remains the most robust interpretation of site history. The longest stable phase (Level 2) began 2500–2300 cal yr B.P. and is possibly associated with relatively low ENSO frequency. Substantial sand dune accumulation began after ~1300 cal yr B.P.
Citation	Geoarchaeology, 21(2), p. 131-154
ISSN	1520-6548 0883-6353
Link	https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/7782
Publisher	John Wiley & Sons, Inc
Title	Times of Sand: Sedimentary History and Archaeology at the Sigatoka Dunes, Fiji
Type of document	Journal Article
Entity Type	Publication

Times of Sand: Sedimentary History and Archaeology at the Sigatoka Dunes, Fiji

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