The Living Lithic: Long-term Continuity and Symbolic Dynamics of Tomako Batu in Papua

Fadhil Priya Abdillah1,3*, Muhammad Thariq Azizi1, Usman Idris2, Delta Bayu Murti1,3, and Toetik Koesbardiati1.3

This research aims Tomako Batu as a lithic artifact of the Sentani people in Papua through an ethnoarchaeological perspective to trace their evolution from functional prehistoric tools into modern-day sacred objects. Within the Sentani region, the Tomako lithic tradition dates back to prehistory, as evidenced by archaeological findings at the Yomokho Site (ca. 2.5 kya) which mark the interaction between Austromelanesoid and Austronesian communities. Utilizing the Tomako collection from the Museum of Ethnography and Death Studies at Universitas Airlangga, this study employs an integrative approach by combining ethnographic documentation with the extraction analysis of nephrite rocks from the Cycloop Mountains. The results reveal that Tomako production transcends functional needs, serving as a sacred material in bridewealth and post-mortuary "Head Payment" rituals, while also reinforcing kinship hierarchies and clan status. These findings demonstrate that the continuity of Tomako technology is driven by its role in social production, where the local transformation of the ancient Sahul tradition continues to define honor and reciprocity within modern Sentani society.