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Phytolith and starch analysis of sediment samples from two archaeological sites on Dauar Island, Torres Strait, northeastern Australia

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Abstract

Current archaeological research suggests that first human occupation of the Torres Strait Islands occurred sometime between 2500 and 3000 cal b.p., and evidence indicates that the development of agricultural mound-and-ditch systems occurred there after 1200 cal b.p. Although archaeological remains testify to the existence of a marine based subsistence economy prior to 1200 cal b.p., the potential presence of earlier prehistoric horticultural signatures has yet to be adequately examined. This study investigates such evidence through a preliminary application of fossil phytolith and starch grain analysis using excavated sediments from two archaeological sites on Dauar Island, eastern Torres Strait. The results show the early presence of yam (Dioscorea sp.), and Musa species not endemic to the island. The occurrence of these edible plant types in association with carbonised phytoliths and anthropogenic shell and bone deposits may be indicative of a combined insular horticultural and marine subsistence system on Dauar Island. We suggest that with a larger and appropriate phytolith reference set for the research area, there is a potential to more clearly define human induced changes to vegetation and patterns of subsistence in the Torres Strait Islands.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to acknowledge the Mer Island Community Council and Chairman Mr Ron Day for their support of the archaeological investigations on Dauar Island. Thanks are extended to traditional landowners Andrew and Dolcey Passi (Sokoli) and George Kaddy (Ormi) for allowing fieldwork on their lands. Also, Sunny Passi and Aris Kaddy for their hard work in the field. For funding of fieldwork Douglas Bird, Rebecca Bird, (University of Maine) and Peter Veth (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies) are acknowledged. In addition, Sue O'Connor (Australian National University) for the provision of radiocarbon funding, and Tony Barham (Australian National University) for knowledge and expertise. Peter Veth (JCU) and the University of Waikato Archaeological Dating Fund also assisted in funding the radiocarbon dates. Special thanks also to Alan Hogg (Waikato Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory) for assistance in calibration of the dates. Parr is assisted by an Australian Postgraduate Award and a Postgraduate Award Scholarship from the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering. We thank Professor Matthew Spriggs and Geoff Hope for comments on Manihot and Kay Dancey (Senior Cartographer, RSPAS) are specially acknowledged for production of the archaeological profiles (Australian National University). Finally, Tony Barham, Jane Harrington, Ewen McPhee and Stephen Beck receive thanks for their assistance and skill in the field.

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  1. Centre for Geoarchaeology and Palaeoenvironmental Research, School of Environmental Science and Management, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, 2470, Lismore, NSW , Australia

    J. F. Parr

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Correspondence to J. F. Parr.

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Parr, J.F., Carter, M. Phytolith and starch analysis of sediment samples from two archaeological sites on Dauar Island, Torres Strait, northeastern Australia. Veget Hist Archaeobot 12, 131–141 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00334-003-0014-7

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