ARCHAEOLOGY

Prehistory

Most Fijians who were born and grew up in Fiji were told the story of a great chief Lutunasobasoba and the voyage across the sea on an ocean going vessel called the Kaunitoni. It was believed that they came from a place in Africa (around the Lakes of Tangnika, which is a place in Tanzania in Eastern Africa). They arrived at Vuda, on the Western coast of Viti Levu. The new arrivals dispersed, and some went over the hills to Nakauvadra, while the rest went to other places around Fiji. In our next monthly update, we will discuss each of the internal migration, as it has special linkages to the people of Fiji today.

Fiji's prehistory is an interesting topic to discuss, even among Fijians. What Fijian life in the past even intrigued the first missionaries when they arrived on our shores in the 1830s. They started to collect oral histories, wherever they worked-some of these stories are kept in their diaries and reports, which are now kept in some international libraries and archives, and also in Fiji. Oral history is a significant part of our Fijian way of life as this is the way our grandparents and parents pass on our history to their children. When the missionaries arrived, they began to document these stories, which many of us can access, if we follow the correct channel.

The islands of the Pacific are like stepping-stones across the Pacific Ocean. Thousands and hundreds of years ago, our Pacific ancestors were migrating and moving from island to island on their large ocean going vessels. Some research that has been conducted in the Pacific have shown various theories of migration into the Pacific:

1. From South East Asia through Micronesia (Northern Pacific)-Sir Peter Buck

2. From South America into Polynesia (Eastern Pacific)-Thor Heyerdhal and the Kon Tiki Expedition

3. From South East through Melanesia (Western Pacific)-Lapita Migration

Many researchers hope to substantiate the above migrations through the analysis of languages, plants such as kumala (sweet potatoes), animal and plant dispersal, archaeology, material culture and people.

One of the above areas that are exciting to explore is archaeology. Archaeology is defined as the study of people, through the process of excavations to determine what people used to use in the past. Materials that are normally found in Fiji are pottery, fish and animal bones, shell beads and charcoal, for instance. Archaeological research has revealed that people arrived in Fiji more than 3000 years ago.

Let us look at how some archaeological work has taken place on some islands in Fiji, and how these research works can assist us Fijians to know more about our own past. It is important to note that this website does not try to promote the validity of archaeology more than our oral history (or vice versa) as in many cases, oral history can be used to support archaeological findings.

The recent Lapita excavations around Fiji have revealed that Fiji was inhabited by the original sea faring people 3000 years ago. Archaeological sites are found on many islands in Fiji, and have provided evidence on how Fiji was like hundreds of years prior to European arrival and occupation. Social hierarchy and customs in relation to life and death can be learnt through archaeological research and analysis.

Sigatoka Sand Dunes is an archaeological site that has intrigues many people. Within the huge dunes are archaeological materials including human bones, pottery sherds, beads and other artifacts made if natural materials such as wood, shells and coral. Many more sites have been investigated; please click on these places to read more about the research undertaken there.

Groups of navigators and planters of food tubers of both Asian and Papuan origin colonized all the archipelagos in the southwest Pacific. Included in this wave of migration and colonization is Fiji. As they move eastwards, they brought along a cultural tradition called Lapita (by archaeologists). Lapita is named after a site in New Caledonia. Dating of these Lapita pottery showed that the islands from Papua New Guinea, through to the Solomons, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji were colonized 1200 and 850 years before Christ (BC). Lapita pottery is a particular type of pottery decorated with dentate-stamped motifs.

Lapita pottery from Melanesia: Photo courtesy of Dr. Christophe Sand, Museum of New Caledonia

Similar Lapita pottery is found in various archaeological sites in Fiji. This pottery has become permanent marker of such migration. Apart from this pottery, other ornaments such as shell objects, stone tools and adzes are found.

During excavations, shell objects can be found. Flat beads were made for necklaces and bracelets. These can be made from Conus and Trocus shells, and the hard shell of the giant clam. Such objects are made as personal adornments and everyday use. At times, you can also see shell adzes and fish hooks. These objects found on these sites signify a presence of a rich cultural heritage of Fijians.

Stone mortars and stone polishers can be found on archaeological sites. Some may have been to crush roots and to also keep adzes sharp. Some others were used as cutters or knives.

Before the introduction of metal axes, the people of Fiji used stone or shell adzes in their daily activities-such as woodcutting, construction of houses or dug out canoes. On some sites, adzes of varying sizes can be found. The differences of the shapes, sizes and the rock type can assist archaeologists to determine the origin of these axes. In other words whether they were made in Fiji or imported from other islands in the Pacific. For example, the adzes that were found on the island of Cikobia during our research there in 1997 indicated that certain adzes came from Samoa, which is situated about 800 km to the north east.

An artist's impression of what Lapita pottery designs look like. Courtesy of Dr. Christophe Sand, Museum of New Caledonia

Archaeology Team conducting surface collection on the beachfront of Vuninuku Village, Cikobia Island, Macuata Province, Vanua Levu. Tarisi and Mata from the Fiji Museum joined by the Archaeology Team of the Museum of New Caledonia in their quest to linkCikobia to the island of Futuna. Photo courtesy of Dr. Christophe Sand, Museum of New Caledonia.

Close up image of Lapita Pottery. Photo courtesy of Dr. Christophe Sand, Museum of New Caledonia.

Archaeological research conducted jointly by Museum of New Caledonia and Fiji Museum on the island of Cikobia, Macuata Province, Vanua Levu in 1997.