Project members

Current research projects:

1) "The Pulemelei Project, the Origins and Development of Monumental
Architecture in West Polynesia".

This project aims at investigating the time frame, the function and social context of one of the largest stone structures in Polynesia. Situated on the Samoan Island Savai'i, which among many Polynesian is considered the cradle for the Polynesian culture, the investigation of the large structure Pulemelei is of great interest in relation to the development of the Polynesian Chiefdom Society. The project is primarily collaboration between me as project leader, Dr. Paul Wallin (KTM) and Dr. Geoffrey Clark (University of Otago). Archaeology is quite new to this area and prior to our excavation, Savai'i has only been subjected to limited archaeological surveys. Clearing, excavations and mapping have been carried out by us in 2002 and 2003. A georadar analysis of the 60x60 m large and 12 m high stepped mound be carried out in 2004 and the results to date are also shown in an exhibition at The Kon-Tiki Museum during April 16th-Dec 31st 2004.

See http://www.kon-tiki.no/Research/samoa/index.html

2) "Cultural identity on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) - the long time perspective".

This project is a continuation and extension of research carried out by me during a number of years. Issues related to the first settling of the island as well as internal change and external contacts are going to be addressed. The focus is set on archaeological excavations but issues related to the contemporary society as well as traditional history are also going to be explored further. The studies of the prehistoric and present Rapa Nui society is an important part for the understanding of the migration patterns and exchange systems in the Eastern part of Oceania, as well as for the understanding of such issues on a global level.

Cultural identity on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) - the long time perspective

Rapa Nui or Easter Island, which is the more familiar name, has since its discovery by Europeans in 1722, been the subjects of many studies. This project is a continuation and extension of research carried out by the Kon-Tiki Museum and me during a number of years. Issues related to the first settling of the island as well as internal change and external contacts are going to be addressed. The focus is set on archaeological excavations but issues related to the contemporary society as well as traditional history are also going to be explored further. The studies of the prehistoric and present Rapa Nui society is an important part for the understanding of the migration patterns and exchange systems in the Eastern part of Oceania, as well as for the understanding of such issues on a global level.

1. Archaeology.
This part includes two new field works and one re-analyses of remains from a previous excavation. The re-analyses of excavated remains from the so far earliest dated settlement at Anakena on the north part of the Island has been done and the results published;
"Martinsson-Wallin, H. and S. Crockford 2002. Early settlement on Rapa-Nui (Easter Island) Asian Perspectives 40 no.2: 244-278." One of the planned field works, at Vinapu, was carried out in 2002. The Vinapu project focused on issues related to the temporal status and cultural context of early settlement on the island. The main goal was to evaluate a site which previously had been dated and interpreted as an early site which been interpreted to form a part of ceremonial site. My investigation showed that the activity probably is a settlement activity rather than a ceremonial activity and the early date was not ascerted. The preliminary results will be published in; Martinsson-Wallin 2003. Archeological Excavations at Vinapu, Rapa Nui. Rapa Nui Journal 18 no. 1 .The second field work is planned in the Tepeu area during 2005/2006 and it will also focus on dating of prehistoric settlement areas.

2. Traditional History
Literature studies concerning local legends and myths are planned to investigate and evaluate their bearings on cultural identity. The traditional history is interesting and important to analys in order to get deeper insights to the society who produced these stories. These studies will mainly be carried out during 2004/2005.

3. Studies of the relevance, meaning and use of archeology and archeological remains in contemporary Rapa Nui
The use and meaning in contemporary Rapa Nui of archeology and archeological remains will be studied from different aspects. Problems with restoration and re-construction of archeological remains has been studied and discussedby me at the 17th IPPA conference in Taiwan 20 02. Further studies will be carried out as a collaborative project between me and doctoral student Olaug Andreassen (University of Southern Wales) in September 2004. The project is titled "The Moai in today's Rapa Nui (Easter Island) -material culture as identity marker and marketing icon". In addition will interviews of expedition members and Rapanuibe carried out to be able to find out more concerning the impact of Thor Heyerdahl's archeological expedition to the island in 1955-56.