Archaeology in Micronesia

Cordy, Ross P. (1980). "Archaeology in Micronesia". Journal of the Polynesian Society: 359–366. ISSN 0032-4000.

• Has attachment: File:STY9EMAZ.pdf

Abstract: Comprehensive overview of archaeological activities in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, current up to April 1980. Prior to 1977, archaeological research in Micronesia was scarce, with only about 15 projects conducted between 1945 and 1976. The earlier work, under German and Japanese rule, was limited and not extensively documented or translated. Most of these projects focused on excavating a few selected sites to study culture history through artifact types, with pottery being a significant artifact of interest in areas like Palau, Yap, and the Marianas.

From 1977 onward, archaeological projects expanded in scope and distribution, largely conducted under the auspices of the Trust Territory Historic Preservation Office. This period saw a shift in research orientation towards analyzing settlement patterns and understanding both the natural and social environments of past societies. The Historic Preservation Office aimed for a well-distributed program and required projects to have a research framework focusing on settlement patterns as a minimal requirement.

The article also outlines the office’s dual goals for the future: to promote diverse archaeological projects and to establish a strong local program resilient to financial constraints while continuing to advocate for archaeological research in Micronesia. The study of settlement patterns became increasingly predominant from 1977 to 1980, emphasizing a broader array of research orientations.