Prehistoric Obsidian Exchange in Melanesia: A Perspective from the Talasea Sources

Abstract

The Talasea region in West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea figures prominently in the prehistory of the western Pacific. During the last 12,000 years at least, it was a major source of the obsidian which was transported widely throughout the western Pacific Islands, particularly during the time of Lapita pottery (e.g. Ambrose and Green 1972; Ambrose 1976; Best 1987; Specht et al. 1981; cf. Allen and White in press). In addition, Lapita pottery sites have been found around Talasea (Specht 1974), giving rise to speculation about the role of Talasea obsidian during the Lapita pottery period, particularly in the context of possible long-distance exchange (e.g. Green 1987:224).