Kuk Swamp is an archaeological site in Papua New Guinea, that lies in the Wahgi Valley of the highlands. The swamp developed in a former lake basin, as it was filled by an alluvial fan or deposits of water-transported material. Archaeological evidence for early agricultural drainage systems was found here, beginning about 9,000 years ago. It includes draining ditches of three major classes, which were used to convert the area to an anthropogenic grassland. The native crop taro was grown here.
In addition, evidence of cultivation of bananas and sugar cane has been found, estimated to have begun 6,900 – 6,400 years ago. The Kuk Swamp was recognized in 2008 as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It was one of the places in the world where people independently developed agriculture.
The Kuk creek is believed to flow through the entirety of the fan to a catchment in the lower hills of the south region. Some channels were built to carry the water past the reach of the fan. If these channels were blocked, as evidence suggests, the area would develop as a swamp, diverting the water into smaller distributary channels. Evidence for early agricultural drainage systems was found here, beginning about 9,000 years ago. Features such as pits, postholes, and runnels have been found at the site, indicating evidence of early agriculture. Such features are consistent with planting, digging and tethering of plants.
In addition, evidence has been found of irrigation draining ditches, dating back to 9,000 years ago. A number of plants, including taro were grown, at what would have been the edge of its cultivable limit in the highlands. These ditches can be divided into three types: major disposal channels, large field ditches, and small field ditches. The major disposal channels were built to divert water from the fan flowing south and direct them toward the northeast areas. The large and small field ditches are more uniform, surrounding the perimeter of the planting areas. They connect with the major disposal channels. During this time, the people of Kuk Swamp transformed their landscape into an anthropogenic grassland suitable for agriculture.
During archaeological excavation of the drainage channels, researchers found artefacts including wooden digging sticks, a grindstone, and other small items. The ditches were cleaned out, and a small trench was dug to study the different layers of clay used to construct the ditches. These different layers suggest that the ditches were deliberately constructed by people.
Dated to 6,900 – 6,400 years ago, additional archaeobotanical evidence has been found showing the cultivation of bananas and sugar cane. Many banana phytoliths have been found in the cultivation plots of Kuk Swamp. Since bananas do not produce phytoliths in the same quantity and frequency as grass and other plants, researchers have concluded that the abundance of banana phytoliths found in a managed grassed landscape between 6950 and 6550 years ago suggests deliberate planting.[1] The bananas grown at Kuk Swamp were Eumusa bananas, which developed as the most significant and largest group of banana domesticates. This makes Kuk Swamp one of the earliest sites in the world for the development of agriculture.
^Denham, T.P., S.G. Haberle, C. Lentfer, R. Fullagar, J. Field , M. Therin, N. Porch, and B. Winsborough. "Origins of Agriculture at Kuk Swamp in the Highlands of New Guinea." Science. 301.5630 (2003): 189-193. Web. 31 Oct. 2012. https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.1085255
Bibliography
Golson, J., T.P. Denham, P.J. Hughes, P. Swadling and J. Muke (eds.) 2017. Ten Thousand Years of Cultivation at Kuk Swamp in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Terra Australis 46. Canberra: ANU E Press (available online)
Bayliss-Smith, T, Golson, J, Hughes, P et al 2005, 'Archaeological evidence for the Ipomoean Revolution at Kuk swamp, upper Wahgi Valley, Papua New Guinea', in Chris Ballard, Paula Brown, R. Michael Bourke and Tracy Harwood (ed.), The Sweet Potato in Oceania: a reappraisal, Oceania Publications and University of Pittsburgh, Rosebery, NSW, Australia, pp. 109-120.
Denham, T, Golson, J & Hughes, P 2004, 'Reading early agriculture at Kuk Swamp, Wahgi Valley, Papua New Guinea: the archaeological features (phases 1-3)', Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society, vol. 70, pp. 259-97.
Muke, J. Mandui, H. Oct 2003. "In the shadows of Kuk: Evidence of prehistoric agriculture at Kana, Wahgi Valley, Papua New Guinea," Archaeology in Oceania. 38, 3, pp.177–185.
Bayliss-Smith, T. Golson, J. April 1992. "A colocasian revolution in the New Guinea highlands? Insights from phase 4 at Kuk," Archaeology in Oceania. 27,1, pp.1–22.
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January 07, 2023
swamp, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, february, 2019, learn, when, remove, this, template, message, archaeolo. This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations February 2019 Learn how and when to remove this template message Kuk Swamp is an archaeological site in Papua New Guinea that lies in the Wahgi Valley of the highlands The swamp developed in a former lake basin as it was filled by an alluvial fan or deposits of water transported material Archaeological evidence for early agricultural drainage systems was found here beginning about 9 000 years ago It includes draining ditches of three major classes which were used to convert the area to an anthropogenic grassland The native crop taro was grown here Kuk Early Agricultural SiteUNESCO World Heritage SiteSatellite image of the wider Kuk Swamp areaLocationPapua New GuineaCriteriaCultural iii iv Reference887Inscription2008 32nd Session Area116 ha 290 acres Buffer zone195 ha 480 acres Coordinates5 47 1 36 S 144 19 54 2 E 5 7837111 S 144 331722 E 5 7837111 144 331722 Coordinates 5 47 1 36 S 144 19 54 2 E 5 7837111 S 144 331722 E 5 7837111 144 331722Location of Kuk Swamp in Papua New GuineaIn addition evidence of cultivation of bananas and sugar cane has been found estimated to have begun 6 900 6 400 years ago The Kuk Swamp was recognized in 2008 as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO It was one of the places in the world where people independently developed agriculture Contents 1 Background 2 See also 3 References 3 1 Bibliography 4 External linksBackground EditThe Kuk creek is believed to flow through the entirety of the fan to a catchment in the lower hills of the south region Some channels were built to carry the water past the reach of the fan If these channels were blocked as evidence suggests the area would develop as a swamp diverting the water into smaller distributary channels Evidence for early agricultural drainage systems was found here beginning about 9 000 years ago Features such as pits postholes and runnels have been found at the site indicating evidence of early agriculture Such features are consistent with planting digging and tethering of plants In addition evidence has been found of irrigation draining ditches dating back to 9 000 years ago A number of plants including taro were grown at what would have been the edge of its cultivable limit in the highlands These ditches can be divided into three types major disposal channels large field ditches and small field ditches The major disposal channels were built to divert water from the fan flowing south and direct them toward the northeast areas The large and small field ditches are more uniform surrounding the perimeter of the planting areas They connect with the major disposal channels During this time the people of Kuk Swamp transformed their landscape into an anthropogenic grassland suitable for agriculture During archaeological excavation of the drainage channels researchers found artefacts including wooden digging sticks a grindstone and other small items The ditches were cleaned out and a small trench was dug to study the different layers of clay used to construct the ditches These different layers suggest that the ditches were deliberately constructed by people Dated to 6 900 6 400 years ago additional archaeobotanical evidence has been found showing the cultivation of bananas and sugar cane Many banana phytoliths have been found in the cultivation plots of Kuk Swamp Since bananas do not produce phytoliths in the same quantity and frequency as grass and other plants researchers have concluded that the abundance of banana phytoliths found in a managed grassed landscape between 6950 and 6550 years ago suggests deliberate planting 1 The bananas grown at Kuk Swamp were Eumusa bananas which developed as the most significant and largest group of banana domesticates This makes Kuk Swamp one of the earliest sites in the world for the development of agriculture In 2008 Kuk Swamp was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO See also EditIndigenous people of New Guinea Austronesian peoples Domesticated plants and animals of AustronesiaReferences Edit Denham T P S G Haberle C Lentfer R Fullagar J Field M Therin N Porch and B Winsborough Origins of Agriculture at Kuk Swamp in the Highlands of New Guinea Science 301 5630 2003 189 193 Web 31 Oct 2012 https www science org doi full 10 1126 science 1085255 Bibliography Edit Golson J T P Denham P J Hughes P Swadling and J Muke eds 2017 Ten Thousand Years of Cultivation at Kuk Swamp in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea Terra Australis 46 Canberra ANU E Press available online Bayliss Smith T Golson J Hughes P et al 2005 Archaeological evidence for the Ipomoean Revolution at Kuk swamp upper Wahgi Valley Papua New Guinea in Chris Ballard Paula Brown R Michael Bourke and Tracy Harwood ed The Sweet Potato in Oceania a reappraisal Oceania Publications and University of Pittsburgh Rosebery NSW Australia pp 109 120 Denham T Golson J amp Hughes P 2004 Reading early agriculture at Kuk Swamp Wahgi Valley Papua New Guinea the archaeological features phases 1 3 Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society vol 70 pp 259 97 Muke J Mandui H Oct 2003 In the shadows of Kuk Evidence of prehistoric agriculture at Kana Wahgi Valley Papua New Guinea Archaeology in Oceania 38 3 pp 177 185 Bayliss Smith T Golson J April 1992 A colocasian revolution in the New Guinea highlands Insights from phase 4 at Kuk Archaeology in Oceania 27 1 pp 1 22 External links EditNational Geo article List Data Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kuk Swamp amp oldid 1095727562, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
