Post-Lapita Health, Lifestyle, and Mortuary Behavior in Fiji: A Brief Report

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2009-05-01

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23

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1

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This study analyzes skeletal remains from Fiji's relatively unexplored post-Lapita period (6th-19th centuries CE) to reconstruct lifestyle, health, and mortuary practice. Although the sample is small and higWy fragmentary (over 1,000 fragments), the remains show limited evidence of osteoarthritis and peri- or post-mortem trauma. These remains may warrant further analysis in combination with addition skeletal materials to detemtine whether these cut marks are cannibalistic in nature. Preliminary examination of post-Lapita mortuary practice also suggests that burial position may have shifted from flexed to supine. While small fragmentary samples cannot provide demographic data (i.e., individual ages and sexes) and therefore limit definitive conclusions, they can provide important insight into the lifestyle and behavior of ancient peoples.

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Easter Island, Rapa Nui

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