Fiji's Ancient Seafarers

  Fiji

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks and 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: 2007: Nov 24 - Dec 9, Dec 9 - Dec 23, Jan 6 - Jan 20, Jan 20 - Feb 3

Description: Research Mission
Explore the prehistory of a South Pacific paradise to help reconstruct the cultural history of the region.

Situation Report
Rove Peninsula, Viti Levu, Fiji Islands -- The first humans to live on these idyllic tropical islands more than 3,000 years ago were the most accomplished seafarers of their time. Known as the Lapita people, they routinely crossed more than 1,500 kilometers of ocean long before people in other parts of the world sailed one-tenth that far. Their earliest human settlement in Fiji is here, on beautiful Bourewa Beach overlooking one of the broadest fringing coral reefs in the islands. Greenstone tools and pottery shards with intricate Lapita designs have been found here, as well as obsidian traded all the way from Papua New Guinea. You can help Dr. Patrick Nunn excavate this exciting site, and explore others nearby, to help understand the cultural history of the region.

Meals and Accomodations
The villagers of Vusama will welcome you into their gracious hospitality. Some team members will stay with village families, sharing a bedroom with two simple beds, while others will stretch out on mattresses in the local community hall. Bucket showers and pit toilets are the norm, and a village generator supplies electricity each evening. Villagers will prepare breakfasts and dinners to serve in the community hall, and lunches to pack into the field. Local fare includes bounteous seafood, ranging from mangrove lobsters to fried fish, and root crops like taro and cassava. Alcohol is not permitted.

Highlights: Rove Peninsula is a scenic peninsula fringed by a vast mangrove forest on one side and white sand beaches with coral reefs on the other. You will work with members of your team and Pacific Islander university students to excavate at Bourewa Beach and other nearby sites, taking down the layers and sifting sediments to find intriguing evidence of the Lapita culture. You may also spend time searching out other sites and using other archaeological techniques. An exciting part of your expedition will be living and interacting with local villagers, who are eager to share their colorful culture with you, starting with a bowl of mildly soporific kava. In your recreational time you can visit Natadola Beach, rated one of the ten most beautiful in the world, and explore the grassy landscape on horseback for beautiful views of the ocean.

Qualifications: Earthwatch volunteers are enthusiastic to learn about the research topic and are willing to contribute their time and energy to support leading scientists in conducting field research. Volunteers will be trained upon arrival at the research site. Teams have a minimum age of 18, unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian, in which case the minimum age is 16.

Cost in US$: 2,746

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Earthwatch expeditions appeal to a variety of people: educators gain new knowledge and develop exciting lesson plans; students explore career options and build research skills; writers, photographers and artists contribute their skills and share their experiences through a variety of media; businessmen and women, doctors and nurses, engineers, homemakers, retirees . . . people from all walks of life choose to volunteer on research expeditions each year. Volunteers are actively engaged on a daily basis with the research project, develop global perspectives, and explore new cultures and environments.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Fiji Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 6 - 12

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Earthwatch Institute's Mission Statement: Earthwatch Institute engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Through a unique method of funding, the volunteers Share of Cost contributes directly to the support of the research projects. Earthwatch enables scientists to pursue research goals and members of the public to gain hands-on experience with science. Each year, over 4,000 people from 46 countries directly contribute to scientific research by working alongside scientists, local community members and other volunteers. Earthwatch volunteers can track sea turtles; join archaeological digs; observe animal behavior; collect rare plants, study dolphin behavior and more. Hundreds of expedition teams can use your help in 48 countries and 16 U.S. states this year.

Year Founded: 1971