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Stone Axe Trade in Prehistoric Papua: The Travels of Python

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2014

James W. Rhoads  and
Douglas E. Mackenzie
James W. Rhoads
Affiliation:
Victoria Archaeological Survey, P.O. Box 262, Albert Park, Victoria, Australia 3206
Douglas E. Mackenzie
Affiliation:
Bureau of Mineral Resources, GPO Box 378, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
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Abstract

Explaining the evolution of prehistoric trade systems dominates archaeological research in the Papuan Lowlands of New Guinea. However, important evidence in the form of ground stone axes, which had to be imported into this region, is largely ignored. This paper provides a summary of relevant ethnographic accounts of axe exchange systems, describes the archaeological finds from a restricted area near Kikori Station using sourcing and morphological analyses and interprets the meaning and significance of results. As this is a radical departure from traditional studies, we take this opportunity to sketch some major research questions which may aid future investigations.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society , Volume 57 , Issue 2 , 1991 , pp. 35 - 50
Copyright
Copyright © The Prehistoric Society 1991

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References

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