Archaeology

Helene Martinsson-Wallin, Reidar Solsvik and Paul Wallin

The archaeological projects are situated in three different areas of Polynesia: Easter Island in the east, Huahine in the center and Savai'I (Samoa) in the west. The main object with the studies is to investigate migration and interaction processes the Polynesian area in pre-historic times through the study of material culture, ethno-history and traditional history. Both inter and intra island analyses will be done and issues related to chronology of ceremonial sites and settlement will be addressed. Evaluation of earlier work as well as data from current field work will form the base for interpretations of prehistoric migration and interaction patterns in this area. Issues concerning problems or possibilities with restoration and use of archaeo-logical sites/artefacts and results from archaeological excavations in the contem-porary Polynesian society will also be addressed.