![]() ![]() Major changes occurred in the historic period, although production of plant foods that were important for centuries continues to flourish today. These data point towards an anthropogenic environment and stable agricultural system that was present in late prehistoric Pohnpei. Combined analysis of plant macroremains and phytoliths from secure archaeological contexts shows the use of banana leaves in breadfruit cooking in the historic period, highlighting the importance of multi-method paleoethnobotanical study. Archaeological phytolith analysis of the garden landscape shows disturbance caused by pigs, which were introduced historically, a change from the prehistoric phytolith record, which shows no major shifts. ![]() However, because of differential silica uptake, it should be used in conjunction with other methods. Botanical data show that phytolith analysis is very useful in the Pacific region, as many economically important taxa produce phytoliths. Finally, because a reference collection is key to all paleoethnobotanical research, plant specimens from multiple Pacific locations were collected and processed for phytolith reference. Paleoethnobotanical analysis included collection and analysis of flotation samples for carbonized plant macroremain analysis iv and sediment samples for phytolith analysis. Excavation of selected archaeological features, including breadfruit fermentation pits, yam enclosures, and cooking features, was conducted to examine formation patterns. ![]() Archaeological survey was used to identify prehistoric and historic features on the landscape and to map the distribution of food production activities. A multi-pronged approach was used in this research. In order to examine these questions, this project looks at human-environment interrelationships using historical ecology. It addresses the fundamental question of how food production is related to changes in social and physical environments and also addresses the optimum ways to archaeologically study plant remains in tropical oceanic environments with poor preservation. This project centers on the production systems of an island in the west central Pacific: Pohnpei, Micronesia. This is especially true on the islands of Remote Oceania, where cultivation of plants introduced with colonization has always been a key component of survival. Food production, or the cultivation and processing of edible materials, is closely linked to both the physical environment and human social systems. ![]()
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