Abstract
The aim of this paper is to explore the history of anthropology in Melanesia with a particular attention to the territory of the current independent state of Papua New Guinea. Author analyzes the history of the anthropological research in Papua from the late 19th century until the sixties.
The author distinguishes three phases of history of anthropology in Papua: a phase of the first anthropological contact in the late 19th century, a phase of the nidation until the middle of twentieth century and a phase of the gold age of the anthropology in Papua, from the middle to the sixties of the twentieth century. Author argues that the fieldworks conducted in Papua changed the face of anthropology in a profound way.
In the last part of the paper author summarizes main achievements and progress in anthropology of Melanesia in the framework of anthropology as such.