Evolutions in the Lapita Cultural Complex: a view from the Southern Lapita Province

This paper discusses differences in the settlement strategies and cultural evolutions developed during the Lapita period, by comparing expansion and transformation processes identified in Southern Melanesia, particularly New Caledonia, with the wider regional data. Entering a region devoid of malaria and in some cases with geologically complex landforms, the Austronesian colonists, who arrived about 1000 BC, developed specific trends of the Lapita Cultural Complex, which can be characterized as a regional Southern Province. I first present a general background of the Lapita period in New Caledonia, focussing on chronology, geographical spread and the major characteristics of the postulated Southern Province. This allows the identification of cultural developments internal to the Lapita period of New Caledonia that are significant for understanding changes and relationships between the different Lapita Provinces. Discussion mainly points to sources of cultural origin, rates of first settlement and regional transformations, and local relations between the islands.