Introduced Dioscorea spp. starch in Lapita and later deposits, Vao Island, Vanuatu

Abstract Analysis of deposits at a Lapita site in Vanuatu revealed putative starch grains of Dioscorea nummularia in ~2800–3100cal. BP layers and of Dioscorea pentaphylla in a ~2000 cal. BP layer, suggesting local cultivation of these tuberous crops. The Dioscoreaceae are a new addition to the introduced cultigens thus far directly identified for prehistoric Vanuatu.