Links between climatic histories and the rise and fall of a Pacific chiefdom

A new analysis of coral fragments and charcoal from Nan Madol, the ceremonial center of Pohnpei, reveals two major construction phases spanning the 10th to 15th centuries CE, predating earlier estimates. The study suggests that fluctuations in the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and sea level rise due to subsidence challenged the Saudeleur Dynasty's ability to maintain Nan Madol, contributing to its eventual decline. This research provides a historical example of how adverse climatic conditions can drive significant societal changes, offering insights for modern island nations facing similar environmental pressures.

Shen, C.-C., Beardsley, F., Gong, S.-Y., Kataoka, O., Yoneda, M., Yokoyama, Y., Hu, H.-M., Huang, C.-Y., Liu, S.-C., Chiang, H.-W., Wei, H.-L., Chung, Y.-C., Jiang, L., Lin, A. Y.-M., Fox, J., David, M., Lebehn, J., Barnabas, J., Kohler, G., et al. (2024). Links between climatic histories and the rise and fall of a Pacific chiefdom. PNAS Nexus, 3(10). https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae399