Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Introduction; Part I. Foundation: 2. Polynesian societies and ecosystems; 3. Ancestral Polynesia; Part II. Process: 4. Dispersal, colonization, and adaptation; 5. The demographic factor; 6. Changing environments; 7. Development and intensification of production; 8. Competition and conflict; Part III. Transformation: 9. Tonga; 10. Hawaii; 11. Easter Island; 12. Epilogue; Glossary of Polynesian terms; References; Index.

Promotional Information

This is an archaeological perspective on the elaborate system of chiefdoms found in the islands of Polynesia.

Reviews

'… most comprehensive and analytical review of Polynesian archaeology to appear in the literature so far …'. Archaeology

'A fascinating, authoritative account of the development of pre-European political systems in the central and eastern Pacific … a major achievement.' John Terrell, Reviews in Anthropology

'This is archaeology as it should be.' Man

'This well-illustrated book with its extensive bibliography should continue to be an important book for scholars and students of Polynesia for years to come.' Journal of the Polynesian Society