Future Challenges, Ancient Solutions in Land Use and Land Tenure

'Ancient Solutions' were always embedded in a total social, technical and economic complex that rarely exists today. Examples of ancient complex irrigated terrace systems of taro cultivation and of wet land ditching and mounding systems are described and the possibilities of using selected aspects of these old systems are considered. Ancient and current land tenure practices, which were not recognised when colonial governments codified 'customary' tenure systems, are described and the question of whether such practices should be recognised and legalised in future is considered. If these ancient systems of land use and tenure are to be available to meet future challenges, it is important to ensure that detailed knowledge and understanding of them is not lost as generations pass.