RES 307 Draft 01 2008-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Research Design The previous investigations conducted on the subject property identified several classes of archaeological sites including an agricultural complex, permanent and temporary habitation sites, burials, an historic foundation, several boundary walls and features of indeterminate function. The agricultural complex was initially identified by Ching in the early 1970's and designated Site 6351. Subsequently, Borthwick et al. documented the site describing it as "an agricultural complex made up of a cluster of rock mounds and walls (stacked pahoehoe cobbles) of varying shapes (i.e., rectangular, L- shape, U- shape, and C- shape)" (1997:23). Borthwick et al. also identified three structures within the complex of more formal construction; an enclosure designated Site 18016, a platform designated Site 18017 and terracing designated Site 18019. The presence of more formally constructed features within an agricultural complex is not unusual. Previous studies have shown that some of the more formally constructed features found within agricultural complexes have been utilized as "activity areas" (Schilt 1984, Moore, Elmore & Kennedy 2001). Schilt had assigned the term "activity areas" to describe features where specific agricultural activities took place such as stripping wauke, drying ipu, or processing lau halo. These features likely consisted of minimal pole and thatch structures placed on platforms, terraces or modified outcrops located within agricultural site complexes and utilized on a temporary /seasonal basis for the agricultural activities described above. Additional activities conducted at these types of features may have included tool manufacture, midday rest and/or a minimal amount of food consumption. The possibility that some of the more formally constructed features within the agricultural complex may have been utilized as "activity areas" is the basis for the first research question posed: 1) Are "activity areas" present within the agricultural complex formed by Sites 6351, 18016, 18017 and 18019? A secondary consideration of this research question is, were the more formally constructed features of the complex used as "activity areas"? Excavations will attempt to recover cultural materials indicative of agricultural processing activities such as pieces of volcanic glass which could have been used for the stripping of wauke or the processing of lau hala. Other types of artifacts which could be recovered (although for some items the chances may be small) include stone acres or adze fragments, o'o (digging) sticks, poi pounders, lithic debitage from tool manufacture, etc.. In addition, midden materials indicative of food consumption may be found at "activity areas". The second class of site identified on the subject property consists of habitation sites, both permanent and temporary (i.e., Sites 18002, 18004, 18005 & 18009). Previous investigations on the subject property indicated that the earliest use of these sites likely occurred during the pre- Contact era, however no definitive evidence was provided to verify this supposition, as no radiocarbon dates were obtained. Additional investigations on properties located immediately to the north of the current subject property identified subsurface cultural deposits with unusually early dates for the Kona coast (Site 19668 at TMK 7 -7 -08: 102 with dates of AD 1289 -1670 and AD 1301 -1523; Site 19857 at TMK 7 -7 -08: 21 and 23 with dates of 12 EXHIBIT B