INTERACTION BETWEEN THE TOALEAN AND AUSTRONESIAN CULTURES IN THE MALLAWA AREA, MAROS DISTRICT, SOUTH SULAWESI

Authors

  • Dr. Hasanuddin South Sulawesi Archaeology Office
  • Drs. Bernadeta AKW South Sulawesi Archaeology Office
  • Andi Muhammad Syaiful South Sulawesi Archaeology Office
  • Lutfi Yondri West Java Archaeology Office, Bandung
  • Iwan Sumantri Hasanuddin University
  • Muhammad Nur Hasanuddin University
  • Drs. Supriadi Hasanuddin University
  • Drs. Rustan South Sulawesi Archaeology Office for Cultural Preservation
  • Drs. Isbahuddin Hasanuddin University
  • Khairun Al Ansyary Hasanuddin University
  • Khaidir Sirajuddin Hasanuddin University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7152/jipa.v44i0.15675

Abstract

The Mallawa area lies 92 km northeast of Makassar city and 62 km east of Maros township, in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Previous research points to an indigenous population named the Toalean and here we demonstrate its presence in the Mallawa area by around 6500–7000 BP, before the immigration of Neolithic Austronesians at around 3580 BP. Distinctive Toalean artefacts are geometric microliths, blades and Maros points, while distinctive Austronesian artefacts are red-slipped pottery and polished stone artefacts (especially axes and adzes). The purpose of this research is to examine archaeological evidence for contact between the first Austronesians and the Toaleans who already occupied Mallawa. The research method involved survey and excavation. The survey finding was documentation of 11 closed sites (caves) and two open sites. Excavation, undertaken in Liang Uttange 1, indicates Toalean occupation by 7000 cal. BP, followed by the arrival of Austronesian speakers in the Mallawa area who then underwent interaction and adaptation. Their interaction with Toaleans is shown by finds such as earthenware, adzes and distinctive types of shell ornaments (Neolithic Austronesian culture) associated with geometric microliths and Maros points (Toalean culture). This start of this interaction is dated to between circa 3500 and 3200 cal. BP at Liang Uttange 1.

Keywords: Mallawa, Austronesian, Toalean, culture contact

The king and the court members after taking their respective seats at the Silchang dolmens, Assam. Photograph by Manjil Hazarika.

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Published

2020-12-23

Issue

Vol. 44 (2020)

Section

Articles

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