Evidence for a shorter chronology on rapa nui (Easter Island)

Terry L. Hunt; Carl P. Lipo

doi:10.1080/15564890801990797

Evidence for a shorter chronology on rapa nui (Easter Island)

Terry L. Hunt, Carl P. Lipo

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Archaeologists have long accepted a colonization date of between AD 400 and 800 for Rapa Nui based on few radiocarbon dates, lake-core results, and assumptions from historical linguistics. A new suite of radiocarbon dates from stratigraphic excavations at Anakena and chronometric hygiene analysis of earlier radiocarbon determinations reveals little reliable evidence for a longer chronology. In this paper we present additional lines of evidence in support of a shorter chronology: lake-core evidence for vegetation change and fire history, stratigraphic studies of deforestation and soil erosion, the results of obsidian hydration dating, and considerations of East Polynesian chronologies. The current evidence is best explained by a colonization date for Rapa Nui of about AD 1200. We briefly outline implications of the shorter chronology.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	140-148
Number of pages	9
Journal	Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology
Volume	3
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/15564890801990797
State	Published - Jan 2008
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Chronometric hygiene
Colonization
Environmental change
Polynesia
Rapa Nui

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Oceanography
Archaeology
Ecology
History
Archaeology

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10.1080/15564890801990797

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abstract = "Archaeologists have long accepted a colonization date of between AD 400 and 800 for Rapa Nui based on few radiocarbon dates, lake-core results, and assumptions from historical linguistics. A new suite of radiocarbon dates from stratigraphic excavations at Anakena and chronometric hygiene analysis of earlier radiocarbon determinations reveals little reliable evidence for a longer chronology. In this paper we present additional lines of evidence in support of a shorter chronology: lake-core evidence for vegetation change and fire history, stratigraphic studies of deforestation and soil erosion, the results of obsidian hydration dating, and considerations of East Polynesian chronologies. The current evidence is best explained by a colonization date for Rapa Nui of about AD 1200. We briefly outline implications of the shorter chronology.",

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AU - Lipo, Carl P.

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Evidence for a shorter chronology on rapa nui (Easter Island)

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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