Mabuyag (Torres Strait) in the mid-1980s: Archaeological reconnaissance of the island and midden excavations at Goemu. (Norwegian)

Reconnaissance of Mabuyag in 1984 and 1985 revealed a wide variety of archaeological features including extensive midden deposits at the former village site of Goemu. Accounts of our investigations were given previously in several reports and a doctoral thesis on the ethnoarchaeology of the island, but not formally published. In this paper our research, which predated recent landscape changes and has historical value, is documented. The archaeological features observed during the reconnaissance, most of which were associated with former settlement areas, are first described. A detailed account is given of the survey and excavations undertaken at Goemu in 1985. Survey of the c. 2 ha site revealed many surface deposits of midden material consisting of bone (mainly dugong and some turtle), shell and stones. The deposits comprised a large rectangular 'platform', six linear 'ridges', 95 round and ovoid mounds, and surface scatters of material. The main midden feature selected for excavation was the large platform and two adjacent ridges. A nearby mound was also partly excavated and 16 test pits were dug at intervals across the site. The results of the identification and quantitative analysis of samples of the excavated remains are described and evaluated. Interpretation of their socioeconomic significance, informed by ethnohistorical evidence, leads to the conclusion that some of the midden features had ceremonial significance and that turtle and dugong ceremonies were performed at Goemu. Some reference is made to more recent research by others that support our interpretation of the site, but no attempt is made to relate our results comprehensively to research carried out at Goemu since 1985. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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