Title: An Early Settlement in the Polynesian Homeland: Excavations at'Aoa Valley, Tutuila Island, American Samoa
Abstract: The Samoan Islands are critically important for understanding the prehistory of the central Pacific. In this paper we discuss investigations carried out at site AS-21-S in 'Aoa Valley, on the north coast of eastern Tutuila Island, American Samoa. 'Aoa, along with Mulifanua, on 'Upolu, and To'aga, on Ofu' is one of the earliest sites in the archipelago, with occupation dating back some 3000 years. The early component at 'Aoa is significant for its antiquity and a ceramic assemblage that lacks dentate-stamped Lapita pottery. The later component is significant because it indicates pottery use perhaps 1000 years after pottery is thought to have been abandoned in West Polynesia. Compared to other residential sites in the region, hawaiite (basaltic) and volcanic-glass artifacts are unusually abundant. In addition, there is a good record of extensive geomorphological and sea-level changes at 'Aoa Valley, reflecting both natural forces and human behavior.
Publication Year: 1996
Publication Date: 1996-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 32
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