The archaeology of colonialism and capitalism in the Southwest Pacific: the Compagnie Calédonienne Nouvelles-Hébrides (CCNH) on Malakula, Vanuatu.

Summary

Much of the European mapping of the South West Pacific occurs relatively late in terms of global history. In Vanuatu (ex New Hebrides) the first visits were Spanish ships in 1606. The wider archipelago was not further explored until the visit of Cook in 1774 but soon afterwards it had been incorporated into the rapidly infilling global map. The geography, climate and people had been described as had hints of the economic potential and the islands could now be discussed and dissected amongst the parliamentarians, business houses, proselytising churches and learned societies of Europe and beyond. The tentacles of global capitalism, intertwined with colonial and missionary encroachment were soon to follow. One of the early drivers of European encroachment, and its associated introduction and distribution of exotic wares and technologies, plants and animals and disease was the Compagnie Calédonienne Nouvelles-Hébrides (CCNH). This paper outlines how archaeology can contribute to the understanding of this period in this region which saw radical change to traditional societies over a relatively short time.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• The Archaeology of Global History

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 15806