Fiji's Ancient Seafarers Dr. Patrick D. Nunn - Earthwatch Institute

More documents

Recommendations

Info

The University of the South Pacific School of Geography Suva, Fiji Islands Dear Fiji’s Ancient Seafarers Volunteers, I am delighted to welcome you to my research project! It is an important project in many ways, not least because it is helping fill a huge void in the understanding of early Pacific Island history among the people who live here today. I have been living and researching in the Pacific Islands for more than 23 years now, and continue to be shocked at what people understand about their early history. Myths and legends and impossible scenarios abound, something that is encouraged by many tourism operators and is even included in school curricula. I have come around to the view that the self-esteem of the Pacific Islands people will be greatly improved if they can become aware of their true history, something that is a source of real pride. This project is different from many similar projects in that one of its principal goals is raising awareness within Fiji and other Pacific Island countries. The University of the South Pacific, where I work, is an international university that serves 12 island nations. I engage my university students from many of these countries to work with me on projects like this one in the expectation that they will learn from these experiences and take this learning back to their home communities. You will be working alongside educated Pacific Islander students who will be able to explain the imperatives surrounding this research and will also be able to act as conduits between you and the people of Vusama Village where we stay. Vusama is a traditional Fijian village, and the people living there possess all the traditional values that make the Pacific Islands such a special part of the world. You can be sure that the friendly Vusama people will do anything they can to make you feel comfortable and welcome, but there are certain restrictions to which all of us need to adhere. For example, while you will have the opportunity to enjoy the very traditional local (non-alcoholic) drink kava (yaqona), please understand that alcohol is strictly forbidden on this trip for cultural reasons. I have built up a great deal of mutual trust and understanding with the people of Vusama over the years that is predicated on their social mores being respected by my research team members, wherever they may come from. I am sure you will also enjoy the company of my two deputies, Roselyn Kumar and Sepeti Matararaba. Both Roselyn (“Rosie”) and Sepeti (“Mata”) have worked with me on numerous occasions in the past. Roselyn is a human dynamo, full of ideas and enthusiasm, warm, kind and understanding. Sepeti works harder than people one-third of his age, is inspirational and knowledgeable, and has a mischievous sense of humor. So if you are flexible, keen to work hard, and up for an authentic cultural immersion in a little-known culture, this project is for you. Yours sincerely, Patrick D. Nunn Professor of Oceanic Geoscience ii
Fiji’s Ancient Seafarers Table of Contents GENERAL INFORMATION...................................................................................................................................................1 VOLUNTEER FORMS.............................................................................................................................................................2 THE EXPEDITION...................................................................................................................................................................4 1. PROJECT OVERVIEW............................................................................................................................................................4 2. RESEARCH AREA.................................................................................................................................................................4 3. PROJECT STAFF ...................................................................................................................................................................6 DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD ..................................................................................................................................................8 4. VOLUNTEER TRAINING AND ASSIGNMENTS ........................................................................................................................8 5. TEAM ITINERARY ................................................................................................................................................................9 6. DAILY SCHEDULE AND TASKS...........................................................................................................................................10 7. ACCOMMODATIONS ..........................................................................................................................................................10 8. FOOD.................................................................................................................................................................................11 TRAVEL PLANNING ............................................................................................................................................................13 9. BEFORE YOU LEAVE ........................................................................................................................................................13 10. PROJECT CONDITIONS .....................................................................................................................................................16 11. HEALTH INFORMATION ...................................................................................................................................................18 12. PACKING CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................................................................................................19 13. RECOMMENDED READING...............................................................................................................................................20 15. EMERGENCIES IN THE FIELD............................................................................................................................................21 17. HELPFUL RESOURCES......................................................................................................................................................21 APPENDIX...............................................................................................................................................................................23 EXPEDITION PACKING CHECKLIST..............................................................................................................................29 iii
Page 1 and 2: 2009 Earthwatch. 2009 EXPEDITION BR
Page 3: Dear Earthwatcher, Welcome to Earth
Page 7 and 8: VOLUNTEER FORMS All Earthwatch expe
Page 9 and 10: THE EXPEDITION 1. PROJECT OVERVIEW
Page 11 and 12: 3. PROJECT STAFF Principal Investig
Page 13 and 14: DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD 4. VOLUNTEE
Page 15 and 16: Days 9-14 (Monday-Saturday) These d
Page 17 and 18: Below are examples of the foods you
Page 19 and 20: closely and in the event that the s
Page 21 and 22: 10. PROJECT CONDITIONS Please show
Page 23 and 24: 11. HEALTH INFORMATION See www.inte
Page 25 and 26: Essential Items Make sure to bring
Page 27 and 28: • STA Travel (UK): http://www.sta
Page 29 and 30: The earliest occupation at Bourewa
Page 31 and 32: Objective 5: Excavate cave sediment
Page 33 and 34: Nunn, P.D. 2005. Reconstructing tro
Page 35: Personal Supplies Note: Linens and

Fiji's Ancient Seafarers Dr. Patrick D. Nunn - Earthwatch Institute

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?