Kuk Early

States
Papua New Guinea
Category
Cultural
Year
2008
Region
Asia & Pacific
Coordinates
-5.7837111111, 144.3317222222
Last Visited
Not visited yet
UNESCO ID
887
WH Site
887
Kuk Early

Copyright © UNESCO/World Heritage Centre. All rights reserved.

The Kuk Early Agricultural Site, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Papua New Guinea, spans 116 hectares of swamps in the western highlands, situated 1,500 meters above sea level. Archaeological evidence reveals it as one of the world’s earliest examples of independent agricultural development, with wetland reclamation and cultivation practices dating back 7,000 to possibly 10,000 years. The site showcases a significant technological shift from plant exploitation to organized agriculture around 6,500 years ago, featuring well-preserved remains of mounds and drainage ditches dug with wooden tools. It highlights the evolution of farming techniques over millennia, offering valuable insight into human innovation and adaptation.

πŸ“ Location Map
Points (1)