kuk early
states: [papua new guinea]
category: cultural
year: 2008
region: Asia and the Pacific
latitude/longitude: -5.7837111111, 144.3317222222
unesco id: 887
world heritage site: 887
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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.