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Environment, agriculture, and settlement patterns in a marginal Polynesian landscape
P V Kirch1, A S Hartshorn, O A Chadwick
1Department of Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. kirch@sscl.berkeley.edu
Summary
Polynesian farmers utilized Haleakala Volcano
Area of Science:
- Archaeology
- Environmental Science
- Volcanology
Background:
- Polynesian farmers established settlements on Maui around A.D. 1400.
- The study focuses on settlements along the southern flank of Haleakala Volcano.
- Peak population density was reached between A.D. 1700-1800.
Observation:
- Over 3,000 archaeological features indicate dryland agriculture with sweet potato as a staple.
- Geological and environmental factors significantly influenced farming and settlement.
- Lava flow age and rainfall patterns created a mosaic landscape.
Findings:
- Farming was constrained to a specific zone balancing aridity and soil nutrients.
- Older, tephra-blanketed lava flows supported large-scale agriculture.
- Younger lava flows were used for residences, gardens, and temples.
Implications:
- Understanding past human-environment interactions in marginal landscapes.
- Insights into adaptive strategies of ancient Polynesian societies.
- Relevance for conservation and land management in volcanic regions.
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