Historical and linguistic perspectives on fortified settlements in Southeastern Wallacea: Far eastern Timor in the context of southern Maluku

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Abstract

The remains of fortified settlements in far eastern Timor have attracted the attention of archaeologists and led to speculation regarding the underlying drivers of fortification. In this paper, I draw attention to the fact that fortified settlements were not a localised development in far eastern Timor, but in fact are characteristic of a large swathe of southern Maluku. Using evidence from the historical record and from language, I contend that fortified settlement building cannot be attributed to particular climatic or socioeconomic conditions, but is best understood as a cultural feature diffused on a regional level.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationForts and Fortification in Wallacea
Subtitle of host publicationArchaeological and Ethnohistoric Investigations
EditorsSue O'Connor, Andrew McWilliam, Sally Brockwell
Place of PublicationCanberra
PublisherANU Press
Chapter10
Pages221-246
Number of pages26
ISBN (Electronic)9781760463892
ISBN (Print)9781760463885
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Publication series

NameTerra Australis
PublisherANU Press
Volume53

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