The Department of Historical Archaeology's role in the museum is to identify, research and provide for the protection of the maritime and historic sites of Fiji.  Historical Levuka

In this capacity, the department carries out legislative review, identification and recording of historic and maritime sites, and cultural heritage management related activities. The department also assists in the enforcement of the "Objects of Archaeological and Palaeontological Interest Act"  around the Fiji Islands. All visiting archaeologists must complete applications for the appropriate archaeology permits.

The Historical Archaeology Department maintains a 'Register of Historic Sites', including maritime sites. This is an ongoing project through which a comprehensive database of all known historic and maritime sites is being compiled.

This department is interested in documenting as many heritage buildings in Fiji, especially in Suva and Levuka, where many Colonial buildings are.

The Historical Archaeology Department is headed by Mr. Elia Nakoro who took over from Ms. Praveena Charan who has since migrated.

Mr. Elia Nakoro has experiences in archaeology digs in projects involving the University of the South Pacific, Kyoto University (Japan), London College (UK) and the Fiji museum. He attended a training programme for Measuring survey methods of archaeological sites that was organized by the Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office, Asia/Pacific Cultural Center for UNESCO (ACCU) in Nara and in Okinawa Japan from January 13 - February 23, 2006. The training focused on - Total Station and Leveler, Plane table Surveying method, GPS and GIS. He also attended and made presentations at Archaeological conferences held in Tonga in 2005.

So far, the Historical Archaeology Department has been involved in the site mapping of many gun batteries and bunkers in Suva and around Fiji built in 1939 and in the 1940s for World War II. It has also gained some old maps of historical buildings and sites in Suva, namely the Thurston Garden and is continuing to work with the relevant Government Departments to find the old maps documenting such sites.

       List of Historic Buildings (Suva City Council)

      Grade A

Grade B

  • Centenary Church, Stewart St.

  • Burns Philip (SS Co. Ltd), Rodwell Rd

  • Defence Club, 57 Gordon St.

  • Education Department, Selbourne St. (Demolished)

  • Fiji Club, Hercules St.

  • Girls Grammar, Selbourne St.

  • Fiji Times Office Building, 20 Gordon St.

  • Kings Hotel (formerly known as the Suva Hotel), Suva, (Waimanu Rd).

  • Native Land Trust Board

  • St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, corner of Gordon and Goodenough St.

  • Morris Hedstrom Bond Building, Rodwell Rd.

  • Regal Theatre

  • Westpac Building, Central St.

  • Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Waimanu Rd.

  • Forestry Office, 91 Gordon St. (Burnt down in a fire, early 1990s)

  • Sister's Hostel, Extension St.

  • Suva Prison and Administrative Buildings, opposite Walu Bay

  • St. Giles Hospital, Reservoir Rd.

  • Boys Centre, Dept. of Social Welfare, Queens Rd

  • Government Supplies, Walu Bay

Fiji Museum List of Heritage Sites (A few of them)

WWII sites:-

  • Nasonini Gun Batteries /Bunkers, (situated at Forum Secretariat, Ratu Sukuna Rd).

  • Parliament House Gun Batteries/Bunkers (Parliament House hill, Veiuto)

  • Flagstaff Radar stations/bunkers (Reservoir, Laucala bay Rd)

  • Lighthouse (Lighthouse Restaurant)

  • Bilo Gun Batteries/Bunkers

  • Momi Gun Batteries/Bunkers

  • Lomolomo Gun Batteries/Bunkers

  • Tamavua Hospital

  • Tamavua Underground Hospital

Historical buildings:-

  • Borron House

  • Veivueti House (Draiba)

  • Cable and Wireless Office, Victoria Parade

  • Suva City Library, Victoria Parade

  • Nasova House, Levuka

Churches:-

  • Naililili Catholic Church, Rewa

  • Church of St. Francis, Rakiraki

Prehistoric:-

  • Bourewa, Sigatoka

  • Labalaba crossing, Deuba

  • Thurston Gardens, previously Suva Village

  • Na Uluvatu village, Suva

  • Tavuni Hill fort, Sigatoka

  • Sigatoka Sand Dunes

  • Navo Island, Natadola, Sigatoka

Other Sites:-

  • Volivoli Caves, Volivoli, Sigatoka

  • Qara ni vokai Caves, Volivoli, Sigatoka

Contact the Historical Archaeology Department for further information.

Back to Department and Services
Fiji Museum Home | History of the Museum | Vision, Mission & Objectives | Museum Staff & Contacts | Departments & Services | Galleries | Historical Thurston Gardens | Activities & Events | Publications | Museum Gift Shop | Board of Trustees | Friends of the Fiji Museum | On-line Exhibitions | Pacific Links of Interest | Awards
Apr-2008