Building and Remembering: An Archaeology of Place-Making on Papua New Guinea's South Coast

Building and Remembering explores how memory works in relation to the material past, based on collaborative ethnoarchaeological research in Orokolo Bay, Papua New Guinea. It shows how cultivation and construction bring people into contact with pottery sherds and black sand, which evoke stories of origins and connections. The book interweaves community constructions of the past with the emergence of large coastal villages, focusing on the key origin and migration village of Popo.

Format: Hardback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2022
Publisher: University of Hawai'i Press

Building and Remembering is a comprehensive exploration of the intricate mechanisms of memory, shedding light on its relationship with the material past. Conducted through collaborative ethnoarchaeological research in Orokolo Bay, Papua New Guinea, Chris Urwin delves into the oral traditions associated with artifacts and stratigraphy. Through his meticulous analysis, Urwin unveils how cultivation and construction foster regular interactions between individuals from Orokolo Bay and pottery sherds and thin layers of black sand. These material remnants serve as poignant reminders of the movements and activities of their ancestors, contributing to the preservation of stories of origins and connections. The pottery, in particular, evokes the layout of ancestral villages and the annual maritime visits by Motu people, who traveled from a distance of 400 kilometers to the east. The black sand, on the other hand, conjures up images of the distant past, when their ancestors magically shaped the land.

In Orokolo Bay, the villagers possess a deep understanding of the subsurface, and areas where people engage in frequent work and digging are regarded as particularly ancient. As a result, they conduct their own form of archaeology as an integral part of their daily lives. This book intricately weaves together the community-driven constructions of the past with the emergence of large coastal villages in Orokolo Bay and across a broader region of Papua New Guinea's south coast. These villages were home to dense populations and hosted elaborate masked ceremonies that could span decades.

However, the origins and development of these villages remain largely unknown. To address this gap, this book employs archaeological digs and radiocarbon dating techniques. By meticulously excavating and analyzing the archaeological evidence, Urwin provides valuable insights into the chronology and evolution of these villages. Through his research, he sheds light on the social, economic, and cultural dynamics that shaped the development of these communities, offering a comprehensive understanding of the rich tapestry of human history in the region.

Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780824891886