Overview
An archaeological perspective on cultural change in the Pacific Islands, including New Zealand, from earliest human settlement until the early colonial era.
In this course we cover the entire archaeological history of the Pacific, from the first arrival of people in the region 50,000 years ago to the colonial era of the nineteenth century. We follow the migratory journeys of the peoples of Oceania, who colonised islands from southeast Asia, through the tropical Pacific, southward to Aotearoa. These journeys represent the greatest maritime migration in human history, covering a third of the surface of the globe. During the course we will outline the sequence of human settlement and the subsequent development of regional cultures, examining some of the major issues in contemporary Pacific archaeological research.
Topics covered include the indigenous voyaging and exploration strategies leading to island discovery and settlement; the development of regional economies and social systems in Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia; and how these were transformed during the colonisation of ever more remote islands. We will also examine the effects of human colonisation on Pacific environments, including landscape modifications, introductions of new plants and animals, and extinctions.
About this paper
| Paper title | Pacific and New Zealand Archaeology |
|---|---|
| Subject | Anthropology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,243.65 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- One of ANTH 103, ANTH 104, ANTH 106, ARCH 101 or 54 points
- Restriction
- ARCH 204
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Eligibility
Suitable for undergraduates interested in the cultural and environmental histories of New Zealand and the Pacific region.
- Contact
- More information link
Please visit the Programme of Archaeology
- Teaching staff
Co-ordinator: Dr Charles Radclyffe
Contributing Lecturer: Dr Karen Greig
- Teaching Arrangements
Lectures and tutorials.
- Textbooks
Patrick V. Kirch. 2017. On the Road of the Winds: An Archaeological History of the Pacific Islands Before European Contact. Berkeley: University of California Press. 2nd edition.
- Course outline
Will be available on Blackboard at the beginning of the course.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Cultural understanding, Information literacy.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will:
- Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the timing and pattern of human settlement in the Pacific region.
- Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the cultural sequences of the major Pacific regions and the adaptations made to the variety of environmental conditions encountered.
- Develop a deeper sense of appreciation, aroha and respect of the rich histories and diversity of peoples of Oceania, as well as the shared cultures, languages and whakapapa which unify us.