The Kuk Early Agricultural Site, a World Heritage site in Papua New Guinea, preserves the remains of the world’s oldest known agriculture. Excavations have revealed that farming was conducted here between 10,000 and 7,000 years ago. Ten thousand years ago was during what is known as the Ice Age. While it is believed that the equatorial location kept the area relatively warm even during that time, it is still astonishing to think that crops were being cultivated so long ago.
Although it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008, the process of registration took as long as 12 years. Here, we introduce this fascinating World Heritage site in Papua New Guinea.
About the Kuk Early Agricultural Site
The Kuk Early Agricultural Site is located in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea and contains agricultural remains from over 7,000 years ago. It became the first site in Papua New Guinea to be inscribed as a World Heritage in 2008. Kuk is a wetland area in the Southern Highlands Province of New Guinea Island, situated at an altitude of 1,500 meters. Excavations uncovered evidence of agricultural activity dating back between 10,000 and 7,000 years ago, drawing global attention as the oldest agricultural remains in the world.
The World Heritage-listed Kuk Early Agricultural Site is divided into three periods. The first, from 10,000 to 7,000 years ago, contains remains of irrigation channels, planting holes, and stone tools used for farming. The second, from 7,000 to 5,000 years ago, shows evidence of mounds used for growing bananas and yams. The third, from 4,350 to 3,980 years ago, reveals signs of intensive farming, including drainage channels used for land reclamation. During the Ice Age, the equatorial climate in Kuk was relatively warm, making it suitable for crop cultivation.
Name: Kuk Early Agricultural Site
Address: Kuk Early Agricultural Site
Official Website: http://whc.unesco.org/ja/list/887
Access to the Kuk Early Agricultural Site
The Kuk Early Agricultural Site is located on Papua New Guinea Island in Oceania. You need to fly to Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby, then transfer to a domestic flight to Mount Hagen Airport. From Mount Hagen, it is less than a 30-minute drive northeast to the site.
Highlights of the Kuk Early Agricultural Site
The Land of Kuk
The World Heritage site is located in a wetland area that, over 100 years ago, was used for traditional banana cultivation. In 1950, British settlers established coffee and tea plantations here. Excavations began in 1966, and while no plant remains were initially found, by the 21st century it became clear that taro and bananas had been cultivated here in ancient times.
Unlike many other regions where agriculture developed through cultural exchange, the Kuk Early Agricultural Site is a rare example of farming that developed independently. Wooden tools were used for cultivation, and drainage ditches were dug to improve soil conditions in the wetlands—many such traces remain visible today.
In nearby Talasea, shell currency dating back 5,000 years was discovered, suggesting that crops may have been traded for these shells.
Agriculture
Taro has been cultivated at the Kuk site for thousands of years. Taro is a plant of the sweet potato family, shaped like a yam, and is widely grown in Polynesia, the South Pacific, and Africa, often serving as a staple food.
In Papua New Guinea, taro has long been a dietary mainstay. In the northern highlands, people traditionally ate taro, yams, and bananas, with little meat or fish. Nevertheless, they developed strong and muscular physiques, sparking interest in how such robust builds could be achieved without animal protein. Life at the Kuk Early Agricultural Site likely revolved around taro-based diets as well.
Visitor Information & Precautions
The Kuk Early Agricultural Site is located in the highlands. While Papua New Guinea generally has a warm climate year-round, highland temperatures can drop to around 10°C at night. Visitors should bring long pants, sweaters, and jackets. Mosquito coils and insect repellent sprays are also recommended.
While the water supply in Port Moresby is considered safe to drink, in other areas it is best to avoid tap water and use bottled mineral water instead. Typhoid has been reported nationwide, and in the central highlands, cases of dysentery, cholera, and hepatitis A have occurred. Malaria is a year-round risk throughout the country, along with dengue fever, filariasis, chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis. Since these are mosquito-borne diseases, it is important to take measures to avoid being bitten.
◎ Summary
The Kuk Early Agricultural Site offers a glimpse into life over 10,000 years ago. It’s fascinating to imagine how people lived and farmed in such ancient times. If you visit Papua New Guinea, be sure to stop by this remarkable World Heritage site.