Interpolity exchange of basalt tools facilitated via elite control in Hawaiian archaic states

Author:

Kirch, Patrick V., Mills, P. R., Lundblad, S. P., Sinton, John, Kahn, Jennifer G.

Title:

Interpolity exchange of basalt tools facilitated via elite control in Hawaiian archaic states

Periodical:

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Year:

2012

Volume:

109

Pages:

1056-1061

Subject:

Mauna Kea Adze Quarry Geochemistry Polynesia antiquities Archaeology

Summary:

Geochemical analysis has been conducted for a large sample of volcanic stone artifacts at archaeological sites in Kahikinui district, Maui. A little over a quarter of the sample was found to be derived from high-quality volcanic rock from Mauna Kea, Hawaii Island. This suggests a significant role for a wealth economy based on the control and distribution of other kinds of goods and resources, contrary to the classic ethnohistoric model of the Hawaiian economy as being based on autonomous territorial units with little exchange or trade.

Label:

Archaeology

URL:

http://www.pnas.org/content/109/4/1056.full.pdf

Date:

January 24, 2012

Collection:

Periodicals