Leavesley, Matthew G., and Troitzsch, Ulrike (2007) A preliminary study into the Lavongai rectilinear earth mounds: an XRD and phytolith analysis. Technical Reports of the Australian Museum 1835-4211, 20. pp. 245-254.

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Abstract

This paper reports a pilot study undertaken at the Lavongai rectilinear earth mounds site in New Hanover, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea. The objective of the study was to determine whether the mounds were formed as part of a prehistoric agricultural system. X-ray Diffraction and phytolith analyses were used on a series of sediment samples from a test pit excavated into one of the Lavongai mounds. The phytolith results indicate a change from forest species in the lowest samples to grass species in the highest samples and the presence of a variety of plant species recorded in the ethnography of medicinal plants. The XRD results indicate that the sediments throughout the depth of the mound have a similar origin, suggesting that the changes in phytoliths do not represent changes in the source of the sediments. It is proposed that the phytolith results reflect four phases of gardening practices beginning between c. 3000 bp and c. 4000 bp.

Item ID:	26602
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1835-4211
Keywords:	archaeology, Papua New Guinea, earth mounds, X-ray diffraction, XRD, phytolith
Date Deposited:	26 Apr 2013 02:45
FoR Codes:	21 HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY > 2101 Archaeology > 210106 Archaeology of New Guinea and Pacific Islands (excl New Zealand) @ 50% 21 HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY > 2101 Archaeology > 210102 Archaeological Science @ 50%
SEO Codes:	95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9505 Understanding Past Societies > 950599 Understanding Past Societies not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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