Nukuleka
Encyclopedia
Nukuleka is a small fishing village on the north-east coast of the island of Tongatapu
, Kingdom of Tonga
. In January 2008, Canadian
archaeologist Professor David V. Burley claimed that it was the "cradle of Polynesia".
In 2007, Burley led an archeological team conducting digs at a site in Nukuleka, and uncovered pieces of Lapita
pottery which are estimated to be about 2,900 years old. Burley then stated: "Tonga was the first group of islands in Polynesia
to be settled by the Lapita People about 3,000 years ago, and Nukuleka was their first settlement in Tonga." . This finding challenged claims made by Samoa
which, in the words of a New Zealand journalist, "has advertised itself for decades as the 'cradle of Polynesia'" .
According to Burley, it was at Nukuleka that Melanesia
n settlers developed a new culture and social structures, thus becoming a distinct people, "Polynesians", before setting out to colonise the uninhabited islands of Polynesia.
However, Professor Burley's conclusion was questioned by Dr. 'Okusitino Māhina, lecturer in Pacific Political Economy and Pacific Arts Anthropology at the University of Auckland
.
Tongatapu
Tongatapu is the main island of the Kingdom of Tonga and the location of its capital Nukualofa. It is located in Tonga's southern island group, to which it gives its name, and is the country's most populous island, with approximately 71,260 residents , 70.5% of the national population...
, Kingdom of Tonga
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
. In January 2008, Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
archaeologist Professor David V. Burley claimed that it was the "cradle of Polynesia".
In 2007, Burley led an archeological team conducting digs at a site in Nukuleka, and uncovered pieces of Lapita
Lapita
Lapita is a term applied to an ancient Pacific Ocean archaeological culture which is believed by many archaeologists to be the common ancestor of several cultures in Polynesia, Micronesia, and some coastal areas of Melanesia...
pottery which are estimated to be about 2,900 years old. Burley then stated: "Tonga was the first group of islands in Polynesia
Polynesia
Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania, made up of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The indigenous people who inhabit the islands of Polynesia are termed Polynesians and they share many similar traits including language, culture and beliefs...
to be settled by the Lapita People about 3,000 years ago, and Nukuleka was their first settlement in Tonga." . This finding challenged claims made by Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
which, in the words of a New Zealand journalist, "has advertised itself for decades as the 'cradle of Polynesia'" .
According to Burley, it was at Nukuleka that Melanesia
Melanesia
Melanesia is a subregion of Oceania extending from the western end of the Pacific Ocean to the Arafura Sea, and eastward to Fiji. The region comprises most of the islands immediately north and northeast of Australia...
n settlers developed a new culture and social structures, thus becoming a distinct people, "Polynesians", before setting out to colonise the uninhabited islands of Polynesia.
However, Professor Burley's conclusion was questioned by Dr. 'Okusitino Māhina, lecturer in Pacific Political Economy and Pacific Arts Anthropology at the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
.