| Rapid evolution of ritual architecture in central Polynesia indicated by precise 230Th/U coral dating. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20616079 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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In Polynesia, the complex Society Islands chiefdoms constructed elaborate temples (marae), some of which reached monumental proportions and were associated with human sacrifice in the 'Oro cult. We investigated the development of temples on Mo'orea Island by 230Th/U dating of corals used as architectural elements (facing veneers, cut-and-dressed blocks, and offerings). The three largest coastal marae (associated with the highest-ranked chiefly lineages) and 19 marae in the inland 'Opunohu Valley containing coral architectural elements were dated. Fifteen corals from the coastal temples meet geochemical criteria for accurate 230Th/U dating, yield reproducible ages for each marae, and have a mean uncertainty of 9 y (2sigma). Of 41 corals from wetter inland sites, 12 show some diagenesis and may yield unreliable ages; however, the majority (32) of inland dates are considered accurate. We also obtained six 14C dates on charcoal from four marae. The dates indicate that temple architecture on Mo'orea Island developed rapidly over a period of approximately 140 y (ca. AD 1620-1760), with the largest coastal temples constructed immediately before initial European contact (AD 1767). The result of a seriation of architectural features corresponds closely with this chronology. Acropora coral veneers were superceded by cut-and-dressed Porites coral blocks on altar platforms, followed by development of multitier stepped altar platforms and use of pecked basalt stones associated with the late 'Oro cult. This example demonstrates that elaboration of ritual architecture in complex societies may be surprisingly rapid. |
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Authors:
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Warren D Sharp; Jennifer G Kahn; Christina M Polito; Patrick V Kirch |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Date: 2010-07-07 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Volume: 107 ISSN: 1091-6490 ISO Abbreviation: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. Publication Date: 2010 Jul |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-07-28 Completed Date: 2010-09-27 Revised Date: 2011-07-20 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7505876 Medline TA: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 13234-9 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Berkeley Geochronology Center, Berkeley, CA 94709, USA. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Anthozoa / anatomy & histology, metabolism* Architecture as Topic / methods*, trends Biological Evolution* Ceremonial Behavior* Humans Polynesia Radioactive Pollutants / analysis, metabolism Thorium / analysis, metabolism Time Factors Uranium / analysis, metabolism |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Radioactive Pollutants; 7440-29-1/Thorium; 7440-61-1/Uranium |
| Comments/Corrections | |
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