World History: 70th century BC

c. 7000 BC · Oceania · Economy

Beginnings of agriculture at Kuk Swamp

Kuk Swamp is an archaeological site in Papua New Guinea, that lies in the Wahgi Valley of the highlands at an altitude of about 1,550 metres (5,090 ft) some 12–13 kilometres (7.5–8.1 mi) northeast of Mount Hagen, the capital of Western Highlands Province. The swamp developed in a former lake basin, as it was filled by an alluvial fan or deposits of water-transported material. Archaeological evidence for early agricultural drainage systems was found here, beginning about 9,000 years ago. It includes draining ditches of three major classes, which were used to convert the area to an anthropogenic grassland. The native crop taro was grown here.