How does the skeletal body contribute to the making of Indigenous personhoods in the Southern Massim?

In Papua New Guinea’s Massim region, traditional forms of personhood are rooted in relational connections and are expressed through burial practices that signify ongoing bonds with the deceased. Although rich ethnographic insights exist, archaeological study into the material aspects of these practices is limited. My research investigates how skeletal remains, placed in caves, rockshelters and niches, symbolise cultural identity and relational personhood in the southern Massim. Fieldwork on Panaeati Island and neighbouring islands shows that these burials represent a vital way to maintain the deceased's social presence, demonstrating their enduring place within society.