The Settlement of Marginal Polynesia: New Evidence from Henderson Island

摘要: AbstractThe settlement of Polynesia was rapid and extensive, implying purposeful exploration successful colonization strategies. By A.C. 1000, most inhabitable islands were occupied inter-island voyaging a vital link sustaining small populations on ecologically-marginal landfalls—islands that pushed the capabilities Polynesian to their limits. Several throughout evidence prehistoric occupation yet not inhabited at European contact. Henderson Island, SE Polynesia, with its extreme environmental conditions, typifies such so-called “mystery islands.” The results recent multidisciplinary study are summarized, which include an island-wide survey, test excavations, recovery largest artifact, faunal, floral assemblages from this part Polynesia. These data provide new for ascertaining role in isolated populations, how human colonists altered insular landscapes caused faunal extinc...