The Onemea Site (Taravai Island, Mangareva) and the human colonization of Southeastern Polynesia
Abstract
ABSTRACT When first test excavated in 2003, the Onemea site on Taravai Island (site 190‐12‐TAR‐6) yielded high densities of extirpated and extinct bird bones which, along with radiocarbon dates of AD 1000 to 1050, suggested a colonization phase occupation. Expanded excavations in 2005, reported here, revealed additional details of site stratigraphy, chronology and use. Initial human activity on the dune surface included exploitation of nesting or roosting seabirds, and sporadic use of combustion features. We interpret this initial phase as involving repeated, low intensity visits over a period of two to three centuries, beginning around AD 950, resulting in a palimpsest deposit (Layer III). Sometime in the 13th century intensive occupation on the dune commenced, resulting in the deposition of a cultural layer (Layer II) averaging 55–60 cm thick, containing earth ovens and with evidence for fishhook manufacture and use. Occupation of the Onemea dune ceased in the late 14th century AD. The chronology for the Onemea site, which is provided by 11 radiocarbon and three 230 Th coral dates, lends support to a model of initial human colonization of southeastern Polynesia at around AD 1000.
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- Authors
- KIRCH, P. V., CONTE, E., SHARP, W., & NICKELSEN, C.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Berkeley (US)
- University of French Polynesia (PF)
- Berkeley Geochronology Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- KIRCH, PATRICK V.
- Venue
- Archaeology in Oceania
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2010-07
- Volume
- 45
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 66-79
- ISSN
- 0003-8121 (ISSN-L)
- 0728-4896
- 1834-4453
- OpenAlex
- W1986677405
- Cited by
- 50
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 19.91
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Archaeology in Oceania/Archæology & physical anthropology in Oceania (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Geography, Planning and Development › Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Maritime and Coastal Archaeology
- Keywords
- Mangareva, earth ovens, combustion characteristics, radiocarbon chronology
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