Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T14:13:30.067Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Chronology of Coastal Morphogenesis and Human Settlement on Aitutaki, Southern Cook Islands, Polynesia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

Melinda S. Allen
Melinda S. Allen*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96817 USA
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Twenty-seven 14C determinations from Aitutaki, southern Cook Islands inform on human settlement and Holocene coastal processes. I examine sedimentary, radiometric and archaeological data from Aitutaki with reference to regional evidence for a minor Holocene sea-level regression, which are in general agreement. Related processes of shoreline progradation and aggradation created near-shore environments conducive to human habitation, directly evidenced by ca. AD 900–1200. Nevertheless, biotic materials associated with this early cultural stratum suggest human colonization prior to this time. Archaeological preservation and recovery also may have been affected by changing sea level and related sedimentary processes.

Type
Articles
Information
Radiocarbon , Volume 36 , Issue 1 , 1994 , pp. 59 - 71
Copyright
Copyright © The American Journal of Science 

References

Allen, M. S. (ms.) 1992a Dynamic Landscapes and Human Subsistence: Archaeological Investigations on Aitutaki Island, Southern Cook Islands. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Washington, Seattle: 557 P.Google Scholar
Allen, M. S. (ms.) 1992b Temporal variation in Polynesian fishing strategies: The southern Cook Islands in regional perspective. Asian Perspectives 31(2): 183–204.Google Scholar
Allen, M. S. and Schubel, S. E. 1990 Recent archaeological research on Aitutaki, Southern Cooks: The Moturakau rockshelter. Journal of the Polynesian Society 99(3): 265–295.Google Scholar
Allen, M. S. and Steadman, D. W. 1990 Excavations at the Ureia site, Aitutaki, Cook Islands: Preliminary results. Archaeology in Oceania 25(1): 24–37.Google Scholar
Athens, J. S. and Ward, J. V. 1993 Environmental change and prehistoric Polynesian settlement in Hawai'i. Asian Perspectives 32(2): 205–223.Google Scholar
Bellwood, P. S. 1978 Archaeological research in the Cook Islands. Pacific Anthropological Records 27. Honolulu, Bishop Museum: 214 p.Google Scholar
Crocombe, R. 1964 Land Tenure in the Cook Islands. London, Oxford University Press: 180 P.Google Scholar
Johnson, K. M. 1967 Village agriculture in Aitutaki, Cook Islands. Pacific Viewpoint Monograph 1. Wellington, Victoria University: 122 P.Google Scholar
Kirch, P. V. 1983 Man's role in modifying tropical and subtropical Polynesian ecosystems. Archaeology in Oceania 18(1): 26–31.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kirch, P. V., Flenley, J. R. and Steadman, D. W. 1991 A radiocarbon chronology for human-induced environmental change on Mangaia, southern Cook Islands, Polynesia. Radiocarbon 33(3): 317–328.Google Scholar
Lamont, F. (ms.) 1990 A 6,000 Year Pollen Record from Mangaia, Cook Islands, South Pacific: Evidence for Early Human Impact. B.Sc. dissertation, School of Geography and Earth Resources, The University of Hull, Hull, England: 57 P.Google Scholar
Nunn, P. D. 1991 Keimami sa Vakila na Liga ni Kalou. Feeling the Hand of God: Human and Nonhuman Impacts on Pacific Island Environments. Honolulu, Environment and Policy Institute, East West Center: 68 P.Google Scholar
Ramenofsky, A. 1987 Vectors of Death. Albuquerque, University of New Mexico Press: 300 P.Google Scholar
Pirazzoli, P. A., Montaggioni, L. F., Salvat, B. and Faure, G. 1988 Late Holocene sea level indicators from twelve atolls in the central and eastern Tuamotus (Pacific Ocean). Coral Reefs 7: 57–68.Google Scholar
Spriggs, M. J. T. (ms.) 1981 Vegetable Kingdoms: Taro Irrigation and Pacific Prehistory. Ph.D. dissertation, Australian National University, Canberra: 203 P.Google Scholar
Steadman, D. 1991 Extinct and extirpated birds from Aitutaki and Atiu, southern Cook Islands. Pacific Science 45(4): 325–347.Google Scholar
Stoddart, D. R. 1975 Almost-atoll of Aitutaki: Geomorphology of reefs and islands. in Stoddart, D. R. and Gibbs, P. E., eds., Almost-Atoll of Aitutaki: Reef studies in the Cook Islands, South Pacific. Atoll Research Bulletin 190: 31–58.Google Scholar
Stuiver, M., and Becker, B. 1993 Extended 14C data base and revised Calib 3.0 14C age calibration program. in Stuiver, M., Long, A., and Kra, R. S., eds., Calibration 1993. Radiocarbon 35(1): 215–230.Google Scholar
Stuiver, M., and Becker, B. 1986 High-precision decadal calibration of the radiocarbon time scale, AD 1950-2500 BC. in Stuiver, M. and Kra, R. S., eds., Proceedings of the 12th International 14C Conference. Radiocarbon 28(2B): 863–910.Google Scholar
Stuiver, M., Pearson, G. W. and Braziunas, T. 1986 Radiocarbon age calibration of marine samples back to 9000 cal BP. in Stuiver and Kra, R. S., eds., Proceedings of the 12th International 14C Conference. Radiocarbon 28(2B): 980–1021.Google Scholar
Stuiver, M., and Polach, H. A. 1977 Discussion: Reporting of 14C data. Radiocarbon 19(3): 355–363.Google Scholar
Stuiver, M. and Reimer, P. J. 1986 A computer program for radiocarbon age calibration. in Stuiver, M. and Kra, R. S., eds., Proceedings of the 12th International 14C Conference. Radiocarbon 28(2B): 1022–1030.Google Scholar
Stuiver, M. and Reimer, P. J. 1993 Extended 14C data base and revised CALIB 3.0 14C age calibration program. in Stuiver, M., Long, A., and Kra, R. S., eds., Calibration 1993. Radiocarbon 35(1): 215–230.Google Scholar
Sunderland, J. P., and Buzacott, A., eds., 1985 Mission Life in the Islands of the Pacific. Being a Narrative of the Life and Labours of the Reverend A. Buzacott. Rarotonga, Institute of Pacific Studies of the University of the South Pacific, Suva with the Cook Islands Library and Museum, Rarotonga. (Reprinted; originally published 1866, London, John Snow and Co.).Google Scholar
Wood, B. L. and Hay, R. F. 1970 Aitutaki. in Wood, B. L. and Hay, R. F., eds., The Geology of the Cook Islands. New Zealand Geological Survey Bulletin 82: 36–40.Google Scholar
Yonekura, N., Ishii, T, Saito, Y., Maeda, Y., Matsushima, Y., Matsumoto, E. and Kayanne, H. 1988 Holocene fringing reefs and sea-level change in Mangaia Island, southern Cook Islands. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 68: 177–188.Google Scholar