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Giant human remains found
14/07/2002 18:59 - (SA)
Suva - Mysterious skeletal remains of what appears to be a
3 000-year-old giant have been unearthed on a South Pacific
island, but the bones' discovery has rattled local archaeologists
who say poor treatment of the remains may have lost vital
information.
Little is known about the highly unusual find, which includes a
skull bearing strange holes drilled into its cheekbones, with
authorities keen to keep the controversial discovery under wraps.
According to sources, the body, found at Lomaiviti, an island to
the north of here, predates European exploration of the Pacific and it is believed the man was originally from the Solomon Islands.
The body was discovered last week by a Solomon Islander from the
University of the South Pacific (USP), alongside examples of Lapita pottery - artefacts created by a group of Melanesians believed to have been the founders of modern Polynesia.
Measuring 1.9 metres (six foot six), the body is unusually large
considering its age and origin. Pictures of its skull
show the holed cheekbones, a feature unseen in previous
discoveries, according to Fiji Museum sources.
The head of pre-history archaeology at the museum, Sepeti
Matararaba, said the discovery of the body and pottery was
"significant".
"As for the skeleton remains, I will still have to see it ... it
is a significant find for us.
"Studies done there now would enlighten us more on the early
travelling habits in those times. We have found similar pottery on neighbouring islands of the group.
"Once they are dated, we can know the exact patterns of living
and the kind of activities during those early occupations. It is
really very good news."
But the skeleton has already caused controversy with experts
voicing concern over its treatment at the hands of "cowboy"
archaeologists.
One senior Fiji Museum source said a relocation of the remains
may have destroyed vital information and museum experts should have been consulted earlier.
"These cowboy archaeologists, a bit like parachute journalists,
are allowed such field trips but by law, if they were find
something as significant as a skeleton, especially of the suspected period of existence, the Museum must be informed," the senior official said.
"It is also only logical that our field staff who are trained
for such excavations are informed of such developments considering their skills and tools, paramount of course is the creation and maintenance of our historical database."
Patrick Nunn, the supervisor of the archaeological team
analysing the remains at USP would not comment and said on Sunday "we have decided to keep our find under wraps". - Sapa/AFP
- SAPA
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