Quarries to villages: How stone tools shaped the foundations of the Pacific
Description
Stone tools were the foundation of civilisation across the Pacific. They were the instruments used to build homes, craft gardens and protect against enemies. In ancient times you needed a stone tool to survive.
In modern times, stone tools have been replaced with other materials and technologies, but in doing this have we lost something along the way?
Christopher Tep, an agriculturalist from the Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea, keeps a traditional stone axe hung on the wall of his home as a proud reminder of the foundations that shaped his craft.
Meanwhile, Samoan experimental archaeologist Galumalemana Steve Percival and Ragitaane master carver Warren Warbrick have been at the forefront of a stone tool revival. They've been learning the ways of their ancestors to preserve the art of stone tool making for future generations.
Culture Compass was produced by Deadset Studios for ABC Radio Australia.
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