Polynesian settlement of the Marquesas Islands: The chronology of Hanamiai in comparative context

A new chronology for Hanamiai, a coastal dune site in the Marquesas Islands, reveals that Polynesian settlement began between AD 1160 and 1266. This finding, derived from 14 new radiocarbon dates combined with Bayesian modeling of 22 age estimates, provides a refined timeline for the site's continuous cultural sequence spanning from initial colonization to European contact. By comparing Hanamiai's chronology with seven other Marquesan sites, researchers also estimated the tempo of settlement and identified the transition period between the Archaic and Classic eras in material culture.

Rolett, B., & Dye, T. (2024). Polynesian settlement of the Marquesas Islands: The chronology of Hanamiai in comparative context. Journal of Pacific Archaeology, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.70460/jpa.v13i2.348