A Koronivalu kei Bua: Hillforts in Bua Province (Fiji), their Chronology, Associations, and Potential Significance

Patrick Nunn; Elia Nakoro; Niko Tokainavatu; Michelle McKeown; Paul Geraghty; Frank R Thomas; Pierick C M Martin; Brandon Hourigan; Roselyn Kumar

doi:10.1080/15564894.2019.1582119

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A Koronivalu kei Bua: Hillforts in Bua Province (Fiji), their Chronology, Associations, and Potential Significance

Journal article

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A Koronivalu kei Bua: Hillforts in Bua Province (Fiji), their Chronology, Associations, and Potential Significance

Patrick Nunn, Elia Nakoro, Niko Tokainavatu, Michelle McKeown, Paul Geraghty, Frank R Thomas, Pierick C M Martin, Brandon Hourigan and Roselyn Kumar

Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology, Vol.16(2-4), pp.342-370

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15564894.2019.1582119

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Abstract

conflict

Pacific Islands

last-millennium settlement

inland settlement

environmental change

Sixteen hillforts constructed and occupied perhaps several centuries before contact in the early nineteenth century are described from Bua district in northern Fiji. These hillforts represent inland settlements in fortifiable locations on high volcanic islands, plausibly established in response to the outbreak of sustained conflict. The chronology and functions of these hillforts were investigated through mapping, excavation, and collection of oral traditions. Four groups of hillforts are recognized. The Seseleka and Yadua (Island) groups represent single polities, comprising a mountaintop site surrounded with fortified narrow steep-sided basalt ridges with tributary sites at lower levels functioning as lookouts and/or food-processing sites. The Northwest Bua group comprises mountaintop sites occupied only when aggressors threatened, and are otherwise characterized by occupation around their bases. The Inland Bua group ranges along one of the highest ridges in the area and were all reportedly in conflict with each other. The Buan hillforts represent those found elsewhere in Fiji and on other high Pacific Islands. Insights from the study of these hillforts illuminate this period of Fiji history and help interrogate broader questions about drivers and proximate causes of the conflict that may have seen hillforts established near simultaneously on high Pacific Islands during the last millennium

Details

Title: A Koronivalu kei Bua: Hillforts in Bua Province (Fiji), their Chronology, Associations, and Potential Significance
Authors: Patrick Nunn (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Elia Nakoro (Author) - Fiji Museum, Fiji
Niko Tokainavatu (Author) - Fiji Museum, Fiji
Michelle McKeown (Author) - Manaaki Whenua/Landcare Research, New Zealand
Paul Geraghty (Author) - University of the South Pacific, Fiji
Frank R Thomas (Author) - University of the South Pacific, Fiji
Pierick C M Martin (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Brandon Hourigan (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Roselyn Kumar (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Publication details: Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology, Vol.16(2-4), pp.342-370
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Inc.
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.1080/15564894.2019.1582119
ISSN: 1556-4894; 1556-1828
Organisation Unit: Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering; Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Academic Support Unit; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450901802621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Archaeology

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