Lal, Kirti and Nunn, Patrick D. (2011) Holocene sea levels and coastal change, south-west Viti Levu Island, Fiji. Australian Geaographer, 42 (1). pp. 41-51. ISSN 0004-9182
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Abstract
For the first time, a sediment core spanning the entire Holocene has been analysed from Fiji. The 6-m core was obtained from the floor of an ancient coastal lagoon (palaeolagoon) adjacent to Bourewa, the site of the earliest-known human settlement in this island group. The basal sediments, just above bedrock, date from 11,470 cal BP. A major transition occurs around 8000 cal BP where marine influences on palaeolagoon sedimentation increase sharply. Full shallow-water marine conditions are attained around 4630 cal BP and last until 3480 cal BP after which there is a regressive phase lasting until 2025 cal BP.
The results agree with the area-specific predictions of sea level in the ICE-4G model, particularly in the timing of the highstand. In addition, the results support the ideas (a) that early human colonization of Fiji occurred during the late Holocene regression, (b) that the first inhabitants of Bourewa utilized both nearshore marine (reefal) and brackish lagoon food sources, and (c) that the abrupt human abandonment of the area around 2500 cal BP was probably driven by a reduction in these resources associated with sea-level fall.
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GF Human ecology. Anthropogeography |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > School of Geography, Earth Science and Environment |
| Depositing User: | Users 24 not found. |
| Date Deposited: | 21 Jun 2011 07:41 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Jul 2012 08:26 |
| URI: | https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/4800 |
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