Modelling prehistoric social interaction in the south-western Pacific: a view from the obsidian sources in northern Vanuatu. In From Field to Museum—Studies from Melanesia in Honour of Robin Torrence, ed. Jim Specht, Val Attenbrow, and Jim Allen

This paper investigates the history of social interaction within communities in Vanuatu Archipelago and between other regions Western Pacific as reflected by variations lithic raw material sources technology stone artefacts. Past research determined an apparent contradiction long-distance transportation obsidian, indicating high value, under-utilisation at place discard, low value. The concludes that because previous hypotheses depend too much on notion scarcity resources their evaluation concept they are insufficient to explain pattern spatial temporal distribution Rather than focusing intrinsic value obsidian for individuals or communities, it is more useful view a marker group identity complex system connecting discrete populations mitigating risk unpredictable new environments. These environments included pre-established populations, which might be hostile arrivals. necessity this quickly disappeared once colonisers arrived uninhabited prior populations.