An analysis of Polynesian migrations based on the archaeological assessments. - article ; n°76 ; vol.39, pg 57-67

Yosihiko H.Sinoto

Description

Journal de la Société des océanistes - Année 1983 - Volume 39 - Numéro 76 - Pages 57-67
Depuis le symposium tenu à Fiji en 1969 et qui avait eu pour objet l'histoire des cultures océaniennes, les recherches archéologiques se sont poursuivies en Polynésie mais peut-être, il est vrai, moins intensément que pendant la période qui précéda ce symposium. Néanmoins, ces nouvelles recherches ont apporté des résultats non négligeables pour une meilleure connaissance des processus de peuplement de la Polynésie en général, et de la Polynésie orientale en particulier.
L'une des plus importantes découvertes récentes est celle d'un site ennoyé à Huahine, dans les îles Sous-le-Vent de l'archipel de la Société. Ce site complexe, et les vestiges matériels qui y sont associés, correspondent à la première phase du ment des îles de la Société (Polynésie française). Ils confirment également l'importance de leurs relations culturelles avec les îles Marquises et la Nouvelle-Zélande.
Cet article examine les résultats archéologiques obtenus ailleurs, dans les îles Pitcairn, Henderson, ainsi qu'à Mangareva, et aux îles de la Société et Hawaii, résultats qui confirment le rôle des îles Marquises comme centre de dispersion des Polynésiens orientaux.
Certains problèmes non résolus sont également étudiés, qui concernent les anciennes relations entre la Polynésie occidentale et les îles Marquises, en particulier ceux relatifs à la poterie et aux engins de pêche.
Since the Oceanic Culture History Symposium was held in Fiji in 1969, archaeological investigations in Polynesia have continued, although perhaps less intensively than in the period just prior to the symposium. Results of this field work, however, have made significant additions to our knowledge of the peopling of Polynesia, especially East Polynesia.
One of the most important recent discoveries is a habitation site with a water-logged cultural layer on Huahine Island in the Leeward Society Islands. This site complex and material culture represent an initial settlement period of the Society Islands, French Polynesia. They also indicate a strong cultural link between the Marquesas Islands and New Zealand.
The results of field work on the islands of Pitcairn, Henderson, and in the Mangareva, Society and Hawaiian groups are discussed, particularly the evidence that supports the Marquesas Islands as a dispersal center in East Polynesia.
Some of the unsolved problems of the relationship between West Polynesia and the Marquesas Islands, especially regarding pottery and fishing gear, are also discussed.
11 pages
Source : Persée ; Ministère de la jeunesse, de l’éducation nationale et de la recherche, Direction de l’enseignement supérieur, Sous-direction des bibliothèques et de la documentation.

Informations

• Publié par: JOURNAL_DE_LA_SOCIETE_DES_OCEANISTES
• Publié le: 01 janvier 1983
• Nombre de lectures: 9
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

Yosihiko H. Sinoto
An analysis of Polynesian migrations based on the
archaeological assessments.
In: Journal de la Société des océanistes. N°76, Tome 39, 1983. pp. 57-67.
Citer ce document / Cite this document :
Sinoto Yosihiko H. An analysis of Polynesian migrations based on the archaeological assessments. In: Journal de la Société
des océanistes. N°76, Tome 39, 1983. pp. 57-67.
doi : 10.3406/jso.1983.2773
http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/jso_0300-953X_1983_num_39_76_2773Résumé
Depuis le symposium tenu à Fiji en 1969 et qui avait eu pour objet l'histoire des cultures océaniennes,
les recherches archéologiques se sont poursuivies en Polynésie mais peut-être, il est vrai, moins
intensément que pendant la période qui précéda ce symposium. Néanmoins, ces nouvelles recherches
ont apporté des résultats non négligeables pour une meilleure connaissance des processus de
peuplement de la Polynésie en général, et de la Polynésie orientale en particulier.
L'une des plus importantes découvertes récentes est celle d'un site ennoyé à Huahine, dans les îles
Sous-le-Vent de l'archipel de la Société. Ce site complexe, et les vestiges matériels qui y sont associés,
correspondent à la première phase du ment des îles de la Société (Polynésie française). Ils confirment
également l'importance de leurs relations culturelles avec les îles Marquises et la Nouvelle-Zélande.
Cet article examine les résultats archéologiques obtenus ailleurs, dans les îles Pitcairn, Henderson,
ainsi qu'à Mangareva, et aux îles de la Société et Hawaii, résultats qui confirment le rôle des îles
Marquises comme centre de dispersion des Polynésiens orientaux.
Certains problèmes non résolus sont également étudiés, qui concernent les anciennes relations entre la
Polynésie occidentale et les îles Marquises, en particulier ceux relatifs à la poterie et aux engins de
pêche.
Abstract
Since the Oceanic Culture History Symposium was held in Fiji in 1969, archaeological investigations in
Polynesia have continued, although perhaps less intensively than in the period just prior to the
symposium. Results of this field work, however, have made significant additions to our knowledge of the
peopling of Polynesia, especially East Polynesia.
One of the most important recent discoveries is a habitation site with a water-logged cultural layer on
Huahine Island in the Leeward Society Islands. This site complex and material culture represent an
initial settlement period of the Society Islands, French Polynesia. They also indicate a strong cultural link
between the Marquesas Islands and New Zealand.
The results of field work on the islands of Pitcairn, Henderson, and in the Mangareva, Society and
Hawaiian groups are discussed, particularly the evidence that supports the Marquesas Islands as a
dispersal center in East Polynesia.
Some of the unsolved problems of the relationship between West Polynesia and the Marquesas Islands,
especially regarding pottery and fishing gear, are also discussed.An analysis of Polynesian migrations based
on the archaeological assessments
by
Yosihiko H. SINOTO *
Introduction. en artifacts included hand clubs similar to
the Maori patu, a canoe paddle, a bow, adz
handles, and a spear that resembles a Tahi- Since the last Oceanic Culture History
tian mourner's staff or a Tuamotuan wooden Symposium, held in Fiji in 1969, archaeologic
spear (Emory 1975). Floorboards and posts al investigations in East Polynesia have con
tinued, although perhaps less intensively than for storage houses were also found, with
in the period just prior to that symposium. enough evidence to postulate reconstructions.
Results of recent fieldwork, however, have Other artifacts of stone, bone, and shell
include a wide range of tools, ornaments, and made significant additions to our knowledge
of the peopling of Polynesia, especially East fishing gear. Over 80 basalt adzes are with
Polynesia. out definite tangs, and all are early East
Polynesian types, such as were found in the In East Polynesia, the history of hu
Phase I and II excavations of the Hane site, man occupation goes back approximately
2,000 years, as far as we know today. The Marquesas (Sinoto 1970), and Maupiti Burial
Marquesas Islands have produced the earliest sites (Emory & Sinoto 1964). Artifacts pre
radiocarbon dates, along with material assemb viously thought to be unique to the early
lages, for establishment of a comparatively Marquesan culture, such as compound-shank
fishhooks and pearl-shell pendants, were solid cultural sequence from the time of set
tlement to the historic period. When we use found at Vaito'otia. The material assem
this Marquesan sequence as a basic reference, blages from Phases I and II of the Marquesas
site and that from the Vaito'otia site are the other East Polynesian cultures directly or
remarkably similar, with the exception of potindirectly relate to it.
The best example of a direct cultural link tery, which was not found at Vaito'otia.
to the Marquesas was found in the Society Although these two sites are geographically
Islands, French Polynesia. This is one of the far apart, they belong to the same culture.
most important recent discoveries — a habita A link to the Archaic culture of New
tion site with a waterlogged cultural layer at Zealand is evidenced by adzes, shaped
Vaito'otia on Huahine Island. The site comp whale-tooth pendants, and harpoon heads.
lex and material culture represent an initial Although there is no solid evidence of hand
settlement period for the Society Islands. clubs dating from the Archaic period in New
The material from the site also indicates a Zealand, the discovery of a dozen hand clubs
cultural link with New Zealand. from the Vaito'otia sites strongly implies that
The Vaito'otia site was discovered accident these items will be found from the Archaic
New Zealand culture. ally when a pond was dredged during cons
truction of a hotel. The site is unique in Midden materials included fish and turtle
Central Polynesia because the waterlogged bones, and Turbo shells. Along with the
cultural layer contained much vegetal mate1 fishing gear, these materials show that exploi
rial — coconut, pandanus, and wood. tation of marine resources was important.
Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawai'i. " -W :-.?>
Fig. square. 1. — Exposed floorboards (coconut wood), fallen from a storage house at Vaito'otia, Huahine. Grid is 2 meters
Fig. 2. — Postulated reconstruction of storage house, Vaito'otia, Huahine. AN ANALYSIS OF POLYNESIAN MIGRATIONS BASED ON THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS 59
Bones of domestic animals — dogs and pigs — Society Islands that tanged adzes became the
were found, but in small quantities. basic form only during the late period, and
The posts and floorboards found from the that untanged adzes are characteristic of West
excavations represent four structures, each Polynesia and also of archaic Central and
about 4 meters long by 1.5 meters wide. East Polynesian assemblages. From Phases I
These were probably used for storage, since and II of the Marquesas site, 92 % of adzes
they are too small for habitational use. are untanged ; from Vaito'otia, 91 °?o are
Floorboards are hand-hewn coconut trunks untanged ; and Maupiti, 73 °7o are
(Fig. 1), originally placed on low stilts. One untanged. Although the sample of Maupiti
complete curved post suggests that the struc adzes is smaller than those of the other two
tures had gabled roofs (Fig. 2). The sites, the data may suggest that the Vaito'otia are located away from the main activity site is closer to the early phases of the Mar
area, as indicated by the distribution pattern quesas site than it is to the Maupiti site.
of portable artifacts. In addition, no fir Cultural assemblages after A.D. 1350 in the
eplaces or evidence of cooking facilities were Society Islands show marked differences from
found near the structures. What was stored the earlier assemblages. It is not clear when
is still not known, but yams are a possibility. reversed-triangular adzes first appeared in the
I hope to find and identify intracellular Society Islands, but certainly they existed by
crystals (calcium oxalate) from the soil A.D. 1350. The recent discovery of a
samples to identify the root crops that were adz in the Bellows Field
stored. If the structures were in fact used site, Hawai'i, has some implications for
for storage, this suggests that there was exten dating appearance of these adzes in the
sive agriculture with surplus produce. Coco Society Islands. The Hawaiian adz was
nut trunks and husks, pandanus fruits, associated with volcanic-glass hydration-rind
gourds, and kava were recovered, indicating a dates clustered around A.D. 1000 (David
variety of important plant resources. Tuggle, personal communication). No r
The dates for the Vaito'otia site pose some eversed-triangular adzes were found at
problems. The earliest is a collagen date of Vaito'otia, indicating that the site predates