TY - JOUR
T1 - Kisar and the Archaeology of Small Islands in the Wallacean Archipelago
AU - O'Connor, Susan
AU - Mahirta, Mahirta
AU - Kealy, Shimona
AU - Boulanger, Clara
AU - Maloney, Tim
AU - Hawkins, Stuart
AU - Langley, Michelle
AU - Kaharudin, Hendri A. F.
AU - Suniarti, Yuni
AU - Husni, Muhammad
AU - Ririmasse, Marlon
AU - Tanudirjo, Daud
AU - Wattimena, Lucas
AU - Handoko, Wuri
AU - Alifah, Alifah
AU - Louys, Julien
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - The occupation of small islands presents particular challenges for people largely related to limited terrestrial resources and susceptibility to natural disasters. Nevertheless, the challenges and risks inherent in maintaining stable populations on small islands can be offset or overcome through the use of maritime technologies and exchange networks. The archaeology of Here Sorot Entapa rockshelter (HSE) on Kisar Island in the Wallacean Archipelago provides an unparalleled record for examining these issues in Southeast Asia. Kisar is the smallest of the Wallacean islands known to have a Pleistocene occupation record, and one of the smallest permanently inhabited today. Our results indicate that Here Sorot Entapa was first occupied in the terminal Pleistocene by people with advanced maritime technology who made extensive use of local marine resources and engaged in social connections with other islands through an obsidian exchange network. As a result, populations appear to have been maintained on the island for approximately 6,000 years. In the early Holocene occupation at HSE ceased for unknown reasons, and the site was not reoccupied until the mid-Holocene, during which time a major change in the lithic resources can be observed and the exchange network appears to have ceased.
AB - The occupation of small islands presents particular challenges for people largely related to limited terrestrial resources and susceptibility to natural disasters. Nevertheless, the challenges and risks inherent in maintaining stable populations on small islands can be offset or overcome through the use of maritime technologies and exchange networks. The archaeology of Here Sorot Entapa rockshelter (HSE) on Kisar Island in the Wallacean Archipelago provides an unparalleled record for examining these issues in Southeast Asia. Kisar is the smallest of the Wallacean islands known to have a Pleistocene occupation record, and one of the smallest permanently inhabited today. Our results indicate that Here Sorot Entapa was first occupied in the terminal Pleistocene by people with advanced maritime technology who made extensive use of local marine resources and engaged in social connections with other islands through an obsidian exchange network. As a result, populations appear to have been maintained on the island for approximately 6,000 years. In the early Holocene occupation at HSE ceased for unknown reasons, and the site was not reoccupied until the mid-Holocene, during which time a major change in the lithic resources can be observed and the exchange network appears to have ceased.
U2 - 10.1080/15564894.2018.1443171
DO - 10.1080/15564894.2018.1443171
M3 - Article
VL - 14
SP - 198
EP - 225
JO - Journal of Island & Coastal Archaeology
JF - Journal of Island & Coastal Archaeology
IS - 2
ER -