Sāmoan settlement pattern and star mounds of Manono Island

Authors

  • Christophe Sand Institute of Archaeology of New Caledonia and the Pacific (IANCP)
  • David Baret Institute of Archaeology of New Caledonia and the Pacific (IANCP)
  • Jacques Bolé Institute of Archaeology of New Caledonia and the Pacific (IANCP)
  • André-John Ouetcho Institute of Archaeology of New Caledonia and the Pacific (IANCP)
  • Mohammed Sahib National University of Samoa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15286/jps.127.1.91-110

Abstract

The small island of Manono, positioned between Upolu and Savaii in the Samoan Archipelago, is known in oral traditions of West Polynesia as having had an important political role during the immediate pre-Christian period. An archaeological programme carried out between 2012 and 2015 has mainly concentrated on the mapping of parts of the northern half of the island, around Salua Village. This has allowed us to study in detail a portion of the slope as well as the central plateau of Manono, known to preserve a star mound first mapped in the 1960s during the large-scale programme organised under the direction of R.C. Green and J.M. Davidson. Our mapping of the 9ha fortified ridge has identified another 13 star mounds of different shapes and types, representing the largest concentration of this specifically Samoan layout known to date in this part of the archipelago. These are associated with another two structures of distinctively Tongan typology, referred to as sia heu lupe. Initially we present the general settlement pattern of the northern part of Manono Island. This is followed by a review of the main characteristics of the 14 mapped star mounds and data on their chronology. The diversity of size, height and number of arms is addressed, showing significant differences in work expenditure between individual platforms. This variability is best illustrated by the identification of three star mounds that lack central fill and are only recognised as wild pigeon-snaring structures by the presence of raised branches/arms. Finally, the Manono settlement pattern data are positioned in relation to the larger study of the pre-Christian history of Samoa.

Author Biographies

Christophe Sand, Institute of Archaeology of New Caledonia and the Pacific (IANCP)

Christophe Sand is Director of the Institute of Archaeology of New Caledonia and the Pacific. Over the past 35 years Dr. Sand has worked extensively in the Western Pacific on topics covering the whole spectrum of cultural dynamics, from first Lapita settlement to traditional Oceanic societies and colonial outcomes. He has widely published on these topics while also promoting Pacific heritage as a key element of the region’s future.

David Baret, Institute of Archaeology of New Caledonia and the Pacific (IANCP)

David Baret is an Archaeologist at the Institute of Archaeology of New Caledonia and the Pacific. Over the past 20 years he has participated in field programs in New Caledonia, Fiji and Sāmoa. He has specialised in the study of shell remains. Currently he is in charge of the survey database of New Caledonia’s archaeological sites.

Jacques Bolé, Institute of Archaeology of New Caledonia and the Pacific (IANCP)

Jacques Bolé is an Archaeologist at the Institute of Archaeology of New Caledonia and the Pacific. He has 30 years of experience in Pacific archaeology, in Melanesia and West Polynesia. Amongst his varied areas of expertise, he is the only Melanesian archaeologist to specialise in the field analysis of human remains.

André-John Ouetcho, Institute of Archaeology of New Caledonia and the Pacific (IANCP)

André-John Ouetcho is an Archaeologist at the Institute of Archaeology of New Caledonia and the Pacific. He has participated in nearly all the field programmes fulfilled in New Caledonia on archaeological sites over the past 25 years. He specialises in archaeological mapping and ceramic studies, while also participating in programmes in Fiji and the western part of the Sāmoan Archipelago.

Mohammed Sahib, National University of Samoa

Mohammed Sahib is Project Officer at the Centre for Samoan Studies of the National University of Samoa (NUS). As part of his training at NUS he participated in several archaeological field schools, and was responsible for the student participants during the Manono field schools during the period 2013–2015.

Downloads

Published

2018-03-31