New Zealand Journal of Archaeology Index  >  Vol 29 Addison,  Walter and Morrison.

The Initial Investigation of Fatu-ma-Futi: An Ancient Coastal Village Site, Tutuila Island, Territory of American Samoa

David J Addison¹, Greg Walter² and Alex Morrison³

 

ABSTRACT

Results of initial excavations at Fatu-ma-Futi Village are reported. Stratigraphy in two test pits was similar, with compacted surface layers of a car-parking lot underlain by a layer of clayey sand, fire-affected rock and ancient pebble-gravel paving, which slowly graded into the original beach surface. Post-moulds, shell midden, and basalt flakes were found in both units and human remains in one. Near-basal radiocarbon dates on charcoal suggest initial occupation of a newly formed littoral environment in the period of about 1600 to 1300 cal BP. Permanent habitation came later, with evidence of large-scale basalt tool manufacture towards the end of the sequence. This site is important for understanding current topics in Samoan prehistory, including settlement pattern and coastal geomorphology, marine exploitation and reef health, human lifestyle, health and burial practices, domestic architectural morphology; and the Tutuila basalt export industry.

 

Keywords: SAMOA, TUTUILA, ARCHAEOLOGY, COASTAL VILLAGES, FATU-MA-FUTI, CHRONOLOGY, BASALT TOOL INDUSTRY.

 

1 Samoan Studies Institute, American Samoa Community College, Pago Pago, AS 96799 USA. Email: addlison@gmail.com

2 New Zealand Historic Places Trust, Private Bag 105291, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

3 Department of Anthropology, University of Hawaii, 2424 Malie Way, Saunders Hall 346, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822-2223

Ó Copyright New Zealand Archaeological Association.  

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