The Megalithic Tradition of West Sumba, Indonesia: an Ethnoarchaeological Investigation of Megalith Construction
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THE MEGALITHIC TRADITION OF WEST SUMBA, INDONESIA: AN ETHNOARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF MEGALITH CONSTRUCTION Ron L. Adams M.A. Simon Fraser University, 2001 B.A. University of Oregon, 1995 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the Department of Archaeology O Ron L. Adams 2007 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Spring 2007 All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without permission of the author. APPROVAL NAME: Ron Lynn Adams DEGREE: Ph.D. TITLE OF THESIS: The Megalithic Tradition of West Sumba, Indonesia: An Ethnoarchaeological Investigation of Megalith Construction EXAMINING COMMITTEE: Chair: Cathy D'Andrea Associate Professor Brian Hayden, Professor Senior Supervisor Richard Shutler Jr., Professor Emeritus Michael Howard, Professor, Sociology/Anthropology Internal Examiner Peter Lape, Assistant Professor, Anthropology University of Washington External Examiner Date Approved: r". SIMON FRASER %!EAQ2 UN~VERSITY~Ibra ry DECLARATION OF PARTIAL COPYRIGHT LICENCE The author, whose copyright is declared on the title page of this work, has granted to Simon Fraser University the right to lend this thesis, project or extended essay to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. 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Simon Fraser University Library Burnaby, BC, Canada Revised: Fall 2006 SIMON FRASER UN~VERS~TYlibrary STATEMENT OF ETHICS APPROVAL The author, whose name appears on the title page of this work, has obtained, for the research described in this work, either: (a) Human research ethics approval from the Simon Fraser University Office of Research Ethics, (b) Advance approval of the animal care protocol from the University Animal Care Committee of Simon Fraser University; or has conducted the research (c) as a co-investigator, in a research project approved in advance, (d) as a member of a course approved in advance for minimal risk human research, by the Office of Research Ethics. A copy of the approval letter has been filed at the Theses Office of the University Library at the time of submission of this thesis or project. The original application for approval and letter of approval are filed with the relevant offices. Inquiries may be directed to those authorities. Simon Fraser University Library Burnaby, BC, Canada ABSTRACT Megaliths have figured prominently in discussions of sociopolitical complexity and ideological systems in prehistoric societies, leading to a very wide range of interpretations concerning their significance. What has limited these discussions is the paucity of ethnoarchaeological studies of the living processes associated with megalith building. In this dissertation, I present an ethnoarchaeological examination of the continued traditional practice of erecting megalithic tombs in West Sumba, Indonesia. The construction of megalithic tombs has occurred for hundreds of years on the island of Sumba. The persistence of this practice to the present day, particularly in West Sumba, makes Sumba an incredibly unique context in which to examine megalith building and its larger social context from an ethnoarchaeological perspective. This ethnoarchaeological analysis of megalith construction in West Sumba approaches the subject from a political ecological perspective guided by the following primary objectives: I)to examine the social aspects of megalithic tomb building in West Sumba in order to determine whether there are sociopolitical and economic advantages associated with the practice; 2) to investigate the household material signatures of megalith building; and 3) to develop a model for the sociopolitical processes that surround megalith building which can be applied to prehistoric contexts. Ethnoarchaeological data on megalith building and its social significance in West Sumba was collected in interviews and household material culture inventories. Analysis of this data indicates that megalith erection provides a visual representation of individual and group power and is enmeshed in a larger feasting economy through which power is achieved and relations are defined. From this analysis and a review of ethnographic accounts of megalithic cultures in other areas, I have developed a model which links megalith building to the power of individuals and groups in contexts of corporately controlled resources, relational power, competition over key resources, and the importance of group sociopolitical power. Key Words: Ethnoarchaeology; Indonesia; Megaliths; Labor Mobilization; Feasting ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many people contributed positively to the outcome of this dissertation. I first would like to express my gratitude to the members of the supervisory committee: Dr. Brian Hayden, Dr. Richard Shutler Jr., Dr. Michael Howard, and Dr. Peter Lape. As my senior supervisor, Brain Hayden's support and advice has been essential to the completion of the research presented in this dissertation. Throughout my graduate career in the Department of Archaeology at Simon Fraser University, Brian Hayden has served as my senior supervisor for both my MA and PhD theses. Working with Brian Hayden has been a very valuable experience not only for the research opportunities associated with my graduate theses, but my overall professional development as well. Richard Shutler and Michael Howard also previously served on my MA thesis committee and their comments during the final stages of PhD dissertation writing once again were very beneficial. As my external examiner, Peter Lape provided very helpful insights during the final stage of producing this dissertation. Those instrumental in the collection of data in West Sumba include Piter Rehi, Thomas Tedawonda, Pak Agustinus Sabarua, Pak Rehi Pyati, Pak Octavianus Ndari, Umbu Siwa Djurumana, Ali Algadri, many informants in West Sumba, and Suzanne Villeneuve, who provided valuable assistance with data collection in the final phase of fieldwork. Among these individuals, Piter Rehi, Thomas Tedawonda, and Pak Octavianus Ndari were particularly helpful in gaining access and insights into what became the primary locale (Wainyapu) in which fieldwork was conducted in West Sumba. The advice and insights provided by Webb Keane and Janet Hoskins, who both have spent many years conducting anthropological research in West Sumba, are also much appreciated. Permission from Todd Ames to use a map of lndonesia that he created was very helpful as well. The fieldwork in lndonesia was funded by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada obtained by Brian Hayden. Nello Angerilli and Chris Dagg of Simon Fraser University provided valuable logistical support in the initial stages of gaining research permission from the Government of Indonesia. Stanislaus Sandarupa was a very helpful collaborator during the initial phase of this work in Tana Toraja, Indonesia. The field assistance of Agusthinus Galugu for the work in Tana Toraja was also invaluable. lvonne Rawis provided additional invaluable support in bureaucratic matters in Jakarta. Field research was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Haris Sukendar (Pusat Penelitian Arkeologi Nasional, Jakarta) and Ayu Kusumawati (Balai Arkeologi Denpasar) for work in West Sumba. Ayu Kusumawati and Haris Sukendar have both spent extensive time conducting research in West Sumba and their willingness to participate in this work is greatly appreciated. Field research in lndonesia was conducted with permission from the Indonesian Academy of Sciences (LIPI). Lastly, I wish to thank my wife and daughter for their patience and support during my long and arduous tenure as a graduate student. TABLE OF CONTENTS Approval ...................................................................................................................ii Abstract ................................................................................................................ III Acknowledgements ...............................................................................................v Table of Contents ................................................................................................vii