The Archaeology of Nan Madol and Temwen Island, Pohnpei: Site Distribution, Architecture and Early Agricultural Features, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia
Maureece Jacqueline Levin; Seikel, Katherine; Ayres, William (2015). The Archaeology of Nan Madol and Temwen Island, Pohnpei: Site Distribution, Architecture and Early Agricultural Features, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. doi:10.13140/RG.2.1.4612.6800.
- Has attachment: File:NYPVP6CK.pdf
Abstract: Archaeological study in the field and the laboratory represents a fundamental way that we gain new information about the human past. This project at Nan Madol and adjacent areas of Madolenihmw undertaken during 2011 provides much additional evidence about site characteristics, ages, and conservation issues for the internationally-known Nan Madol complex as well as for many lesser-known sites on Temwen. The field program included survey examination of islets at Nan Madol and other land areas to locate places of archaeological and cultural importance. The results of the recording and laboratory studies-including details concerning stone architecture and artifacts, as well as paleoethnobotanical remains related to early cultivation--are significant in that they improve our knowledge of early human colonization of Micronesia, of the changing material culture on Pohnpei over a period of 2,000 years, and of natural environmental changes as well as the human induced ones. We note that Pohnpei’s archaeological record is complex because of more than 2000 years of human occupation and the thousands of archaeological sites. In addition, the poor preservation of artifacts resulting from environmental conditions is a factor. This work reported here has helped clarify Nan Madol’s position in the Pohnpeian context and in the prehistory of central Micronesia. We can now recognize the great differences in preservation needs for sites within Pohnpei and can pose specific conservation plans for individual islets at Nan Madol. These needs exist as well for the archaeological places found on Temwen and elsewhere throughout Pohnpei. The distinction between sites of national as compared to local significance represents a further issue. Importantly, the evidence reported here helps the Historic Preservation Office, and the people of Pohnpei more generally, make decisions about cultural remains and places worthy of long term conservation and protection.
