Foraging for food? prehistoric pit features at Pohakuloa, Hawaii Island

Author:

Nakamura, Jadelyn J. Moniz, Sherry, Kathleen, Tamimi, Laila

Title:

Foraging for food? prehistoric pit features at Pohakuloa, Hawaii Island

Periodical:

Rapa Nui Journal

Year:

1998

Volume:

12

Pages:

110-118

Subject:

Archaeological surveying Pohakuloa Bird trapping Pohakuloa Dark-rumped petrel Pohakuloa Training Area Uau

Summary:

The authors studied the upland pits in the Pohakuloa area in order to understand the purposes of these archaeological pits. The patch choice model from Optimal Foraging Theories was used. Sweet potato cuttings and rooted plants were planted and growth charts recorded. They concluded that the pits were multi-functional: possible nesting sites for large seabirds such as petrels and shearwaters as they moved upland for nesting due to the increased human consumption at lowland; possible growing space for sweet potatoes as the pits preserved water and protected the plants.

URL:

http://islandheritage.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/RNJ_12_4_Nakamura_Sherry_Tamimi.pdf

Date:

1998

Collection:

Periodicals