The Archaeology of East Polynesia

Abstract

Abstract This chapter provides an overview of the archaeology of East Polynesia (with the exception of Aotearoa, which is treated in a separate chapter). Whereas the island cultures of West Polynesia were settled ca. 800-900 BC, the East Polynesian islands were not discovered and settled until much later, between AD 950-1250. This final stage of Polynesian expansion included contact with South America, and introduction of the sweet potato to East Polynesia. Today, every major island in East Polynesia has seen at least some archaeological investigation and some islands have had extensive research. Major themes of current research include: continued voyaging, interaction, and exchanges between islands following initial settlement; the impact of human activities on island biota and landscapes, resulting in the development of socioecosystems; the intensification of agricultural and other means of production; and, the rise of complex socio-political systems, as evidenced in particular through household archaeology and the study of monumentality. A holistic, multidisciplinary approach that combines archaeology with natural sciences, linguistics, cultural anthropology, and oral traditions has proven critical to refining our understanding of long-term dynamics and cultural changes in East Polynesia.