Precontact archaelogical contrasts of three valley systems on Oahu Hawaii
Date
1974
Authors
Crozier, S. Neal
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Abstract
On the island of Oahu, Hawaii, only in the valleys of South Halawa, Makaha, and Kahana, has a significant quantity of data relating to a diverse range of man-made structures been mapped, recorded in detail, and analyzed typologically. Several of the more important sites have been excavated. Archaeological field investigation was carried on in the three valleys, Makaha, Kahana, and South Halawa, between 1968 and 1972. During 1971 and 1972, restoration and reconstruction of several precontact sites took place in two of the valleys.
The three valleys were all occupied in precontact times (prior to 1778). This report describes and analyzes the sites, features, and artifacts which are the archaeological remains covering an approximate 300 year sequence of occupation (A.D. 1400-1700).
The evidence suggests the existence of causal relationships between some environmental factors, e.g. physiography and precipitation, and human activities in each valley. Although not necessarily of an interdependent/dependent nature, it is hypothesized that differential climatic factors significantly influenced habitational and subsistence patterns and the religious life of human communities in the three valleys. These relationships will be examined from the art if actual remains.
It must be stressed that the direct evidence of this analysis was obtained through a program of salvage archaeology. Therefore, some gaps in data may occasionally exist between the object of the problem being discussed here and the nature of the empirical data utilized for that purpose. There are also some limitations on the extent to which comparative generalizations can be made beyond the areas of investigation. However, the author believes the evidence is certainly adequate for the present conclusions, and although these conclusions will be confined to the empirical evidence available, the nature of the relationship between these variables should be of interest to future research on Oahu and throughout the Hawaiian chain.
Since the field evidence gathered in the course of 1971-1972 project in South Halawa Valley has not been tabulated or published, it is incorporated in the present thesis as an appendix.