Collective action problems led to the cultural transformation of Sāmoa 800 years ago

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dc.contributor.authorCochrane EE
dc.contributor.authorQuintus S
dc.contributor.authorPrebble, Matthew
dc.contributor.authorTautunu TAAM
dc.contributor.authorAutufuga D
dc.contributor.authorLaumea M
dc.contributor.authorQueenin A
dc.contributor.authorAugustinus P
dc.contributor.authorLincoln NK
dc.contributor.editorFreeman J
dc.date.accessioned2024-11-27T20:38:23Z
dc.date.available2024-11-27T20:38:23Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.description.abstractIn this research we identify the processes leading to hierarchical society in a region of Sāmoa, the often-labelled ‘birthplace’ of the Polynesian chiefdoms. Our analyses in the Falefa Valley on ‘Upolu island combine lidar mapping and ground survey to reveal an extensive system of archaeological features: rock walls, ditches, and platforms. Excavation and radiocarbon dating underpin a feature chronology and characterize feature variation. Soil nutrient analyses and geoarchaeological coring indicate spatial differences in the agricultural potentional of the valley and human modification of the environment over time. Our results demonstrate that the construction of large rock walls, some several hundred meters long, began approximately 900–600 years ago, shortly after rapid population rise in Sāmoa. This was followed by the building of small rock walls, often enclosing rectilinear fields or platforms. Both rock wall types are concentrated in the western and northern regions of the valley and greater rock wall densities are associated with areas of higher agricultural potential. The earliest wall construction was penecontemporaneous with partial forest removal that created a more productive wetland environment in the southeastern region of the valley, an area later a focus of agricultural ditching. We propose that with population rise the variable fertility of agricultural land became a significant resource gradient, influencing the population in two ways. First, areas of more fertile agricultural land promoted territorial behaviour, including large rock walls, and led to a collective action problem. Second, niche construction in the form of human-induced environmental change created a productive wetland agricultural system that was enhanced with a reticulate ditch network, the maintenance of which also led to a collective action problem. We conclude that in the Falefa Valley, the second largest catchment in Sāmoa, collective action problems were the cause of increased social hierarchy and may underlie the origins of chiefdoms throughout Polynesia.
dc.identifier.citationCochrane EE, Quintus S, Prebble M, Tautunu TAAM, Autufuga D, Laumea M, Queenin A, Augustinus P, Lincoln NK (2024). Collective action problems led to the cultural transformation of Sāmoa 800 years ago. PLoS ONE. 19(6). e0304850-.
dc.identifier.doihttp://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0304850
dc.identifier.issn1932-6203
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10092/107344
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS)
dc.rightsAll rights reserved unless otherwise stated
dc.rights.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10092/17651
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectArchaeology
dc.subjectAgriculture
dc.subjectHistory, Ancient
dc.subjectPolynesia
dc.subject.anzsrc43 - History, heritage and archaeology::4303 - Historical studies::430315 - History of the pacific
dc.subject.anzsrc44 - Human society::4401 - Anthropology::440107 - Social and cultural anthropology
dc.subject.anzsrc43 - History, heritage and archaeology::4301 - Archaeology::430107 - Historical archaeology (incl. industrial archaeology)
dc.titleCollective action problems led to the cultural transformation of Sāmoa 800 years ago
dc.typeJournal Article
uc.collegeFaculty of Science
uc.departmentSchool of Earth and Environment
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