Agarabi pottery production in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea

•Agarabi speakers are the only pottery producers known from the PNG Highlands.•The chaîne opératoire for Agarabi pottery differs from nearby pottery industries.•They produce generally elongated vessels from coiling and gentle beating.•Vessel trade was not extensive, but occurred with neighbouring communities.•Data informs on the dynamics that led to non-Austronesian pottery in the Highlands.