Building on the past: Refining our current understanding of Lapita stilt structures

This paper reviews our current knowledge of Lapita stilt structures in the Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea, and contributes new data from the analysis of a wooden post belonging to a Lapita-era stilt structure identified in the site of Adwe in the Arawe Islands. Via taxonomic analysis, the wooden post is identified as Intsia bijuga (Moluccan ironwood or Pacific teak), a saltwater-resistant species that would have proven to be a highly durable construction material. The selective usage of sturdy timber including Intsia bijuga, cf. Cordia subcordata, Diospyros sp., cf. Terminalia catappa and Calophyllum inophyllum as building materials at various Lapita sites, suggests that the Lapita populations had a clear understanding of locally available timber resources. This paper also details a world-first attempt at radiocarbon wiggle-match dating a Lapita-age wooden artefact.

Automated summary

This paper reviews the current knowledge of Lapita stilt structures in the Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea, and presents new data from the study of a wooden post from a Lapita-era stilt structure in the Arawe Islands. The analysis identifies the wooden post as Intsia bijuga, a saltwater-resistant species, suggesting that the Lapita populations had a good understanding of available timber resources. The paper also describes the first attempt to radiocarbon wiggle-match date a Lapita-age wooden artifact.