Hawaiki, Ancestral Polynesia: An Essay in Historical Anthropology

by Patrick Vinton Kirch, Roger C. Green

Overview

In this innovative book, Kirch and Green develop the theory and method of an anthropological approach to long-term history. Combining archaeology, comparative ethnography, and historical linguistics, they advance a phylogenetic model for cultural diversification, and apply a triangulation method for historical reconstruction. Through an analysis of the history of Polynesian cultures they present a first-time detailed reconstruction of Hawaiki, the Ancestral Polynesian culture that flourished some 2,500 years ago. This book will be essential reading for any anthropologist, prehistorian, linguist, or cultural historian concerned with the study of long-term history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521788793
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/15/2001
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	394
Product dimensions:	7.44(w) x 9.69(h) x 0.83(d)
Lexile:	1600L (what's this?)

Table of Contents

Prologue: on historical anthropology; Part I. The Phylogenetic Model: Theory and Method: 1. The phylogenetic model in historical anthropology; 2. Methodologies: implementing the phylogenetic model; 3. Polynesia as a phylogenetic unit; Part II. Rediscovering 'Hawaiki': 4. The ancestral Polynesian world; 5. Subsistence; 6. Food preparation and cuisine; 7. Material culture; 8. Social and political organization; 9. Gods, rituals, and seasons; Epilogue: on history, phylogeny, and evolution.

Editorial Reviews

"In all, this is a wonderful book for anyone interested in the origins of Polynesian societies. It is also an example of good, solid, culture history methodology at its best, with a nice admixture of ecology and theoretical issues." Journal Canadien D'Archéologie

From the Publisher