This text presents the archaeological evidence from the Sigatoka sand dunes, located on the south-western shore of Fiji's largest island, Vitu Levu. The evidence suggests a dynamic, interactive picture of island life, with constant contacts with other islands of the east and west.

The traditional view of the colonization of Fiji is one of an initial movement to the islands three thousand years ago followed by relative isolation until the 19th century. Therefore it is no surprise that these islands and their inhabitants have been widely studied as examples of cultures evolving in isolation. However, recent archaeological evidence and new theoretical models have questioned the degree of isolation experienced in the early years of the occupation of these islands. This book presents the archaeological evidence from the Sigatoka sand dunes, located on the south-western shore of Fiji's largest island, Viti Levu. The evidence suggests a dynamic, interactive picture of island life, with constant contacts with other islands to the east and west. The information from this site is not only placed within the broader context of this group of islands, but also within other theoretical migrationist and evolutionary models of island groups.

The power of a picture
the Sigatoka sand dunes
the 1992 mapping project - aims and methods
the 1992 mapping project -summary of results
pulling together four decades of archaeology
human remains recovered from the dunes, 1965-1998
reconstructing the changing dune surface
understanding the nature of human occupation
working with complexity
modelling change and continuity in Fijian prehistory
appendices.