Colonisation of Remote Oceania: New dates for the Bapot‐1 site in the Mariana Islands

Abstract

Abstract:The colonisation of the Mariana Islands in Western Micronesia is likely to represent a long distance ocean dispersal of more than 2000 km, and establishing the date of human arrival in the archipelago is important for modelling Neolithic expansion in Island Southeast Asia and the Pacific. In 2010, Clark et al. published a paper discussing a number of radiocarbon dates from the Bapot-1 site on Saipan Island, but a disparity between charcoal and marine shell (Anadara sp.) results prevented the calculation of a definitive age for the site and left open the possibility that Bapot-1 was first settled as early as 3500 cal BP. Here we present new research using a combination of stable isotope (δ 13 C and δ 18 O) and 14 C information to demonstrate that A. antiquata from the lowest layers of Bapot-1 is affected by hardwaters. These new results indicate human arrival at Bapot-1 occurred around 3200-3080 cal. BP (1250-1130 BC). We recommend a similar isotopic evaluation for other sites in the Marianas that are dated by marine shell.

The ceramic trail: Evaluating the Marianas and Lapita West Pacific connection

“…BP is generally accepted, although some work proposes colonisation at 3300-3200 cal. BP (Clark 2004;Petchey et al 2017), similar to the age of Lapita arrival in the Bismarck Archipelago (Sheppard et al 2015). The oldest ceramics from the Marianas have recently been compared with pottery from the Northern Philippines and Western Pacific Lapita culture with two significant migrations proposed (Figure 2.1).…”

“…(A) Punctate tool-stamped Achugao sherd from the Bapot-1 site (Saipan) in the Marianas dated to 3200-3080 cal. BP(Petchey et al 2017). (B) Dentate-stamped sherd from the Malekolon (EAQ) site (Ambitle Island, Bismarck Archipelago).…”

Redating of the To’aga site (Ofu Island, Manu’a) and a revised chronology for the Lapita to Polynesian Plainware transition in Tonga and Samoa

“…A range of theories have been put forward for these dates including the small size of these bones and potential laboratory contamination at the time of dating [32] [33]. Twenty years later, there have been improvements in our understanding of dietary offsets and application of (dietary and reservoir) corrections to a range of animals that feed in both marine and terrestrial environments [34][9] [35][36] [37], as well as significant improvements in sample pretreatment and the abilities of AMS dating technology to date these tiny samples [38]. The importance of rats as human commensals, as evidenced by their presence in many archaeological deposits including To'aga ( [19] pg 200, table 13.3), means there is significant benefit from being able to date these animals directly [39].…”

On the Road of the Winds – An Archaeological History of the Pacific Islands Before European Contact. Revised and Expanded Edition By Patrick Vinton Kirch University of California Press, Berkeley, CA, 2017. ISBN 9780520292819, Pp. xxii + 386, USD 44.95 (Paperback or eBook)

“…At times, Carson favours his own research over others to a degree where contrary views do not exist, regarding interpretations of the timing of Marianas settlement and point(s) of origin for instance (e.g. Hunter-Anderson 2013; Hunter-Anderson & Eakin 2016; Petchey et al 2017;Winter et al 2012). Scholarship requires that criticisms are addressed head on, not ignored.…”