The use of strontium isotopes as an indicator of migration in human and pig Lapita populations in the Bismarck Archipelago,Papua New Guinea

This paper examines the potential use of strontium isotopes (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) for identifying migration within Lapita populations and their commensal animals, specifically the pig (Sus scrofa). Lapita people (ca. 3300–2200 BP) were the initial colonists of the island groups to the east of the Solomon Islands, spreading from Papua New Guinea to Tonga and Samoa within a few centuries. Mobility is assumed to have been an important mechanism for maintaining cultural solidarity between Lapita communities. It has been previously argued that Lapita populations became progressively more sedentary over time after the initial colonising events. Two Lapita sites, Kamgot and Balbalankin, from the Anir Islands in the Bismarck Archipelago are included in the analysis and fall within the Early (ca. 3300–3000/2900 BP) and Middle (ca. 3000/2900–2700 BP) Lapita periods respectively.     

Prehistory in the northwest tropical Pacific: The Caroline,Mariana, and Marshall Islands

The earliest identified settlement is in the Marianas, dated to about 3500 B.P., while the other islands in the region appear to be settled from about 2000 B.P. onward. The archaeological remains reveal diverse approaches to island living. While Nan Madol and Leluh in the eastern Carolines are major architectural achievements, a discussion of these sites does not detract, for example, from the terrace systems of Palau or the lattestone groups of the southern Marianas. Of equal interest is the settlement of atolls and their recently recognized potential for preservation of stratified deposits. As information allows, each island or group is considered on an individual basis in order to allow for each specific island context to be assessed. This is described within the broader themes of architecture, chronology, environment, material culture, settlement pattern, social organization, and subsistence. In conclusion, the current standing of prehistory in the region is outlined in relation to early settlement, environment, social organization, chronology, settlement pattern studies, portable material culture, subsistence, and atolls. Finally, suggestions for the future are made.     

Fur-bearing species and Scottish islands

Analysis of a database comprising archaeological records of fur-bearing species in Scotland has highlighted the presence of foxes, badgers and other mustelids in areas outside their modern-day geographic range. Of particular interest is the apparent presence of foxes on Orkney for a number of centuries, from perhaps the last few centuries BC to the mid to late first millennium AD, pine marten on Orkney in the Neolithic, and badgers on the Outer Hebrides in the Early Bronze Age and 6–7th centuries AD. While zooarchaeological analysis of the data suggests the evidence from the Outer Hebrides is indicative of imported products of fur-bearing species, such as skins or ‘trophies’, the evidence from Orkney suggests populations of fur-bearing species may have been purposefully introduced by humans. This raises interesting questions regarding human perception and use of the different species in prehistoric North Atlantic Scotland.     

Humans,climate or introduced rats – which is to blame for the woodland destruction on prehistoric Rapa Nui (Easter Island)?

When the first Polynesian settlers arrived on Rapa Nui, about 70% of the island was covered with dense woodland in which Jubaea palms dominated. Our investigations of extended soil profiles provide evidence that more than 16 million palm trees grew on the island. Nearly all palms were removed by the 16th century. Teeth marks on nutshells of the Jubaea palms from the 13th or 14th centuries attest to the activity of Pacific rats (Rattus exulans) on Rapa Nui, which were probably imported there by the first Polynesians settlers. Did the rats perhaps prevent the germination of palm seeds and thus the regeneration of the dense palm woodland of Rapa Nui?     

Tourism Development in Small Islands Across the World

ABSTRACT This study develops the Tourism Penetration Index and applies it to 51 islands. The results confirm the most penetrated comprise Caribbean, Mediterranean and Northern Pacific islands typified by large resorts, crowding, short stays and the replacement of man‐made attractions for lost amenities. The least penetrated islands comprise mainly Pacific and Indian Ocean destinations characterized by small facilities, long stays, and limited infrastructure. The intermediate islands primarily fall into two groups: Caribbean islands advancing to the high‐density stage, and other destinations experiencing rapid growth and resource conflicts. The study concludes with planning implications and suggestions for further research.     

陈序经的文化学与其社会问题研究的关系

在逐步确立自己文化学体系期间,陈序经曾倾心于社会问题的研究,积极参与包括民和华侨问题在内的西南社会的研究工作以及乡村建设运动的讨论。在西南社会研究中,他应用文化学方法,开展对民的调查研究,拟从中发掘出新的资料,印证西方文化学说,寻找文化发生、发展的一般法则;并宣传进步文化观,主张不同民族应共同发展。有关华侨研究本身是对文化主体的关注,其现实目的是为了保护华侨权益、激发华侨创造新文化的活力。在乡村建设运动的论战中,他以文化进步说、文化时境论、文化不可分论、文化动力论与文化中心论,反对复古趋向、以农立国说,主张立足都市,西化乡村。现实关怀则促使陈序经将其中零散的文化理论进一步明晰化、系统化。陈序经文化学与其社会问题研究之间存在着相辅相成、互相交融的关系。     

《旧唐书·地理志》西南地区正误

《旧唐书》虽经校勘,然仍有不少未尽善处。本文对《地理志》所记西南地区所涉诸州的州县领属、所领县数、设置时间及其变更等的失误,进行了订正和补遗。     

Insularity, Sovereignty and Statehood: The Representation of Islands on Portolan Charts and The Construction of The Territorial State

This article investigates the cartographic origins of the idea that the territorial state is a unified, bounded, homogeneous and naturally occurring entity, in a world of equivalent but unique entities. It is noted that this image of the territorial state closely resembles the representation of islands on sixteenth‐century portolan charts, and this suggests a historical link between the Renaissance‐era imagination of islands and the modern imagination of states. The article posits that the concept of territorial unity and boundedness, which appeared on portolan charts to signify islands as obstacles amidst maritime routes of movement, migrated in the late sixteenth‐century to form the basis for representing the emergent concept of the territorial state. It is suggested that the conceptual and aesthetic links between these representations of islands and states has led to an ongoing dilemma for those who seek to comprehend (or cartographically represent) islands that are divided between multiple states.     

Fact Sheet: The Islands of Sweden

Not many think of Sweden as an island nation, but in fact Sweden has lots of islands. The actual number could be as high as 221 800, or as low as twenty‐four. Which is correct? It all depends on how one defines an ‘island’ and which ‘pieces of land surrounded by water’ are counted and why (or why not). This fact sheet presents a brief overview of the islands of Sweden, including a short discussion of problems met with trying to count and sort them. After trying either to visit, or contact, all possible Swedish islands with a permanent population but without a permanent mainland connection, the author has concluded that Sweden has 401 such islands. Their distribution according to geographical position and number of inhabitants is presented, and differences between Swedish islands and island regions are also briefly discussed.