InfoAnda - Oceania's seafaring ancients make journey to Paris

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Elderly Man Calls 911 Before Killing Wife And Himself | 20 March 2010
Wal-Mart offers $100 gift card on BlackBerry purchases | Technology | | 12 November 2009
Gates: US open to request from Iraq to stay | 10 November 2010

Polls open for landmark Afghan elections | 20 August 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Oceania's seafaring ancients make journey to Paris

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Oceania's seafaring ancients make journey to Paris AFP - Wednesday, November 10 Send IM Story Print Oceania's seafaring ancients make journey to Paris PARIS (AFP) - – Ancient seafarers who launched one of the world's swiftest migrations, settling the virgin islands of remote Oceania 3,000 years ago, have brought their story to Paris for an unprecedented new exhibit. The Lapita, as the ancient Oceanic people are known, were all-but-unheard of just a few decades ago. But since the mid-1990s the discovery of a body of highly-distinctive potteries, spread across some 250 sites, has shed light on how the Lapita set out over uncharted waters, bringing their language and culture with them. Now, for two months starting on Tuesday, the Quai Branly museum of tribal arts in Paris is hosting what is being billed as the first ever comprehensive exhibition on the people's artefacts and history. "For indigenous people in the region, this is their heritage," said Stuart Bedford of the Australian National University of Canberra, who has studied the Lapita for the past 15 years and is co-curating the Paris exhibit. "But it's also a great human migratory story, an extraordinary chapter in the colonisation of the planet -- of this vast area that was uninhabited until just 3,000 years ago. Many of the pieces on show have never left the region, according to Bedford, who lives and works in Vanuatu, home to many of the richest Lapita sites. The Lapita's story is part of a wider pattern of migration that saw Southeast Asian peoples head south from Taiwan to Papua New Guinea and as far as the main Solomon islands, where they stopped some 40,000 years ago. Then, after a break of tens of thousands of years, the Lapita took once again to the open seas around 3,300 years ago, pushing east past the Solomon Islands to the Bismarck archipelago and beyond to Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa. Wherever they went, they left behind archaeological "markers" in the form of distinctive potteries, decorated with complex, dotted motifs, whose discovery is now enabling researchers to retrace their route over the waters. "Pacific islanders have an oral tradition of seafaring stories that were dismissed by scientists," said Bedford, who works in partnership with Vanuatu communities that train up local fieldworkers to assist with excavations. "Missionaries spoke of what came before them as a period of darkness," he said. "After 30 years of independence, Vanuatu is regaining confidence, as people start to appreciate they have a history that is older than the Church". "They're very excited about the history," said Bedford. Shell bracelets, disks, pearls and pierced teeth, obsidian shards used as cutting devices and shellfish hooks are shown in Paris alongside dozens of pots -- both in fragments and as whole, reconstituted pieces. Typical Lapita pots have a large, complex motif running around in a central band, surrounded by a series of smaller friezes, with zig-zags, labyrinths or curls made with the teeth of a tiny comb-like instrument. Lapita designs are still visible today in some of the region's artefacts -- most strikingly in the Tapas weaves of Fiji and West Polynesia. But the ceramics -- which have also been recovered from burial sites across the region, used as funerary urns or to mark tombs -- are also believed to have carried deeper meaning. "Each pot is unique in design. These were not being made for trade," said Bedford. In some cases, intricate dotted motifs are buried under a thick coat of glaze, suggesting a symbolic rather than aesthetic role. Modern-day Vanuatu is home to a ritual called sand drawing -- or "Sandroing" -- a UNESCO-protected practice which uses graceful, ephemeral patterns to communicate across dozens of language groups. For Bedford, "just as the sand-drawers pay customary rights to use certain motifs, so the pot designers probably used patterns according to set rules." Looking beyond the artefacts, Lapita culture is seen as a founding period in the history of Oceanic societies, offering "a chance to understand how people survived in an unpopulated area," said Bedford. For instance, the discovery of extinct animals -- like a large flightless bird that was hunted to extinction by early Caledonia explorers -- "gives us a picture of the human impact" on the ecosystem. "We've realised there was a high level of interconnectedness, with people moving around the region for hundreds of years." Twenty five years ago there were 50 known Lapita sites. Today there are more than 250, from Papua New Guinea to Samoa -- and now that researchers know what they are looking for, new sites are cropping up in Northern Australia as well. "This story is still being written," Bedford said. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Ex-Chinese leader doesn't 'trust' Bible: Bush AFP - 1 hour 4 minutes ago Obama returns to childhood home Indonesia AFP - 1 hour 42 minutes ago Medvedev alarmed at North Korean nuclear activity Reuters - 2 hours 4 minutes ago Britain, China sign trade deals but rights issue rears head AFP - 2 hours 19 minutes ago ICC ready to come to 'death-threat' Haider's aid AFP - 2 hours 43 minutes ago News Search Top Stories EU fines 11 airlines 800 million euros for air cargo cartel Rogue gene invades stem cells to spark cancer: study No more than one year unemployment benefits: Nobel economist Illegal tiger trade kills 1,000 in a decade: study Study links painkillers to male fertility problems More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Rolls-Royce makes 'progress' on cause of A380 engine failure Gold smashes through 1,400-dollar mark for first time Sniffer 'hero rats' saving lives in minefields and labs Bush defends legacy in new memoir Scientists turn skin into blood More Most Viewed » Alcohol more harmful than heroin, crack cocaine: study Toddler survives seven-floor fall in France Spectacular unknown species found in Amazon Moon's 'treasure chest' includes silver Be fit, have fewer colds: study More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Entertainment Photos Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Iran offers dates for talks with powers in Turkey
Disabled reporter on trial in Russia despite attacks
Japan's Rakuten e-retailer books larger sales
Palestinians say it's time to recognise their state
No more than one year unemployment benefits: Nobel economist
EU sees Croatia advance in EU talks, chides Turkey |
Bin Laden 'hiding in Afghan-Pakistani border area'
New Google feature provides previews of Web search results
Nuclear waste battle shows German feelings run deep
Oracle Hires Private Investigators To Find Missing HP CEO
Musharraf outlines his political strategy for Pakistan |
'Racist sniper' appears in Swedish court
Afghan police arrest suspected insurgent on plane
Chip sector hopes for normality after end of boom
Mystery California Rocket Launch Prompts Unanswered Questions
Report slams U.S. effort to curb Mexico gun trade |
Obama: Israel construction plans unhelpful
French court approves graft probe on African leaders
Father Who Stormed School Bus Of Bullied Daughter Avoids Jail Time
Sharp and Fujitsu unveil 11 new Symbian phones
Russia says U.S. won't explain tycoon visa denial |
Update: Stranded Cruise Passengers To Come Ashore Wednesday
Iran offers dates for talks with powers in Turkey |
"Glee: The Music, Volume 4" Features Britney, Bruno Mars Covers
Study: One In 6 Fatal Car Crashes Involves Sleepy Drivers
Gates: US open to request from Iraq to stay
Police patrol Western Sahara city after clashes |
Sharp and Fujitsu unveil 11 new Symbian phones
CMA Awards Sells Out Tickets
France says EU nations to attend Nobel peace award |
Italian American Group Calls "My Big Friggin' Wedding" A "Big Racist"
Obama's childhood memories flood back in Jakarta
Oceania's seafaring ancients make journey to Paris
Code for security firms reins in violence, mercenaries
Top Indian politicians resign amid corruption probes
US, UN lead critics of new Israel settler homes
Special report
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
George Bush, promoting book, laughs it up on Oprah
UNESCO pulls out of Iran's World Philosophy Day
Microsoft sues Motorola over Xbox patent issue |
Fashion designing 'my drug': Pierre Cardin
China state broadcaster sees record ad sales in 2011
Liam Gallagher's new band gives away single
Pakistan may nix port deal with PSA, China to benefit?
Sprint says Clearwire crunch doesn't mean no funds |
China auto sales growth accelerates in October
Taiwan to resume curbs on foreign buying of its bonds
Vodafone sells SoftBank interests as first-half profit soars
US-TECH Summary
Clearwire crunch doesn't mean no funding: Sprint
Retired Colonel Claims Philippine Mall Blast Caused By Bomb, Not Methane
'Call of Duty' takes gamers on Cold War mission
shares surge on takeover reports
Twilight dominates People's Choice nominations |
George Bush, promoting book, laughs it up on Oprah |
Conan O'Brien's new show draws fans, not critics |
Songwriter Dirty Dancing all the way to the bank |
Iran offers new dates for nuclear talks
Sarkozy promulgates controversial pension law
Text messaging joins Africa's war on AIDS
Obama: more effort needed to improve Muslim ties |
US soldier in court over alleged Afghan killing spree
Microsoft sues Motorola over 'excessive' royalties
Countdown to Christmas with million-dollar advent calendar
Obama: new Israel settlements no help to peace
Sarkozy promulgates controversial pension law
Mexicans fear turf war after drug kingpin's death |
IAC stops developing search, Ask.com to outsource
Bilingualism delays onset of Alzheimer's: study
Cholera now in Haiti capital, rapid spread feared |
Microsoft sues Motorola over Xbox patent issue
Jordan votes in election boycotted by Islamists
Japan Coast Guard official admits China video leak |
EU fines 11 airlines 800 million euros for air cargo cartel
Interpol approves new hi-tech crime centre in Singapore
Iran offers dates for talks with powers in Turkey
Rogue gene invades stem cells to spark cancer: study
Insurgents kill 4 police in northern Afghanistan
Palestinian groups hold more reconciliation talks |
Illegal tiger trade kills 1,000 in a decade: study
Myanmar's Suu Kyi won't accept conditional release: lawyer |
Study links painkillers to male fertility problems
Egypt Muslim group fields 134 candidates in vote
Obama says Indonesia's unity is inspiration to world
Singapore Air to change oil-stained A380 engines |
US takes on violent Afghan valley that bled Brits
Japan, Singapore top destinations for migrants: study
AT&T to offer GetJar on phones such as BlackBerry
Japan coastguard employee admits collision video leak
Indonesian religious unity an inspiration to world: Obama
US-TECH Summary
Obama says more effort needed to improve Muslim ties
Microsoft sues Motorola over Xbox patent issue
Obama's India visit is Pakistan's wake-up call: analysts
Bush faults Pakistan on extremism
British PM to urge more political freedom in China
Afghan review will influence U.S. troop pullout
AT&T to offer GetJar on phones such as BlackBerry |
Robert De Niro to get lifetime Golden Globe award
Banned Mealamu out of All Blacks rugby tour
Report slams U.S. effort to curb Mexico gun trade
No-brand vendors feed cellphone boom: Gartner |
Yale, Peru reopen talks on ownership of Machu Picchu finds
Wallaby reserves tame English rugby champs
Google to give staff a 10 percent pay rise: reports |
Superman, Joker original comic art goes to auction
Internet firms must be accountable for data: execs |
Rachel Weisz and movie director Aronofsky split
Songwriter "Dirty Dancing" all the way to the bank
"Twilight" dominates People's Choice nominations
AT&T halves selling price on BlackBerry Torch |
Conan O'Brien's new show draws fans, not critics
China to ask some banks to raise reserve ratio
IAC stops developing search, Ask.com to outsource |
Harry Potter stars eye new freedoms -- and a tattoo
China property prices continue to rise in October
Gazprom could supply 10 bcm of gas to Korea from 2017
Indonesian volcano's ash disrupts more flights
Seoul shares end at fresh 3-year high
Obama returns to childhood home Indonesia
China posts growing trade surplus
FACTBOX-S.Korean policymakers' remarks on capital controls
S.Korea buys back 1.5 trln won in treasury bonds
New Zealand quarantines five kiwi fruit orchards
Japan deploys huge police presence for APEC summit
Taiwan sells $663 mln in T-bills at 0.55 pct
SNL alum Tina Fey receives top U.S. humor prize |
New Michael Jackson Song Breaking' At Radio |
Justin Bieber unveils 'My Worlds Acoustic cover |
Google to give staff a 10 percent pay rise: report
Twilight dominates People's Choice nominations |
Internet firms must be accountable for data: execs
CKX chief sees Idol renewal talks in early 2011 |
R. Kelly sending out 'Love Letter on December 14 |
AT&T to offer GetJar on phones such as BlackBerry
$35 million Warhol Coke bottle lifts Sotheby's auction |
Robert De Niro to get lifetime Golden Globe award |
Virtual White House tours go online
Rachel Weisz and movie director Aronofsky split |
Mobile technology can help improve global health: Gates
AT&T halves selling price on BlackBerry Torch
Disabled Russian journalist convicted of slander
Nokia hit by no-brand vendors success: Gartner
G20 in war of words on trade as summit nears
Iran says to test own model of Russia S-300 missile |
Rottweiler Survives Botched Euthanasia Attempt
Muslims say Obama failing to keep Cairo promises |
Swiss Design Award Exhibition To Be Held In Miami
Overseas Filipino Workers To Send Total $21.3 Billion Remittances For 2010
Iran says won't discuss nuclear issue with big six |
Porn Film Company To Parody Kanye West And Taylor Swift VMA Fiasco
Nokia hit by no-brand vendors success: Gartner
Labor Board Says Worker Illegally Fired For Facebook Comments
Abbas seeks Security Council meeting on settlements |
Brittany Murphy's Mom To Write A Tell-All Book
U.S. Joins EU In Denouncing Azerbaijan Poll “Standards"
Iraq PM Maliki likely to win support for second term |
Khmer Rouge tribunal must continue: rights group
U.S. Lambastes New Settlement Announcements From Israel
APEC seeks to build vast free trade area |
Teens Who Text, Social Network Too Much Prone To Risky Behavior
Philippine massacre victims 'shot by clan leader'
Kirkuk: a ticking time bomb in volatile north Iraq |
Obese Teens At Risk Of Remaining Obese In Adulthood
Alam defends Pakistan management over Haider flight
Obama wants to personalize US, Indonesia relationship: lawmaker
Women in Philippines put food before sex in survey
$35 million Warhol Coke bottle lifts Sotheby's auction
Justin Bieber unveils 'My Worlds Acoustic" cover
Obama's visit sparks protests in Makassar
R. Kelly sending out 'Love Letter" on December 14
New Michael Jackson Song "Breaking' At Radio
Japan Coast Guard official admits China video leak
Pirated Japanese e-books sold online: reports
Hong Kong tycoon told to take 'devil' remark as joke
CKX chief sees "Idol" renewal talks in early 2011
G20 in war of words on trade as summit nears
Bangkok ranked No.1 in travel survey
Aussie marathon drive to boost Aboriginal health
UK needs cyber attack capability: minister |
Taiwan considers fees on non-invested foreign money
SNL alum Tina Fey receives top U.S. humor prize
China official lashes out at web firms feud: media
Russia firms up gas deal with S.Korea
India's Bharti reports 27% dive in quarterly profit
Russia, S.Korea urge G20 to act on protectionism
Factbox
Hugh Hefner goes Willy Wonka for December Playboy |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01