Archaeological Monitoring of the Tinker Road Bridge Repair (Replacement) Project, Bellows Air Force Station, Waimanalo, O`ahu Island, Hawai`i

Summary

Between November 1988 and January 1989 archaeological monitoring was conducted for excavation activities on the Emergency Repairs, Flood Damage, Roadway Bridge project at Bellows Air Force Station, Waimanalo, O'ahu. This bridge lies 50 m due south of the Bellows Sand Dune Site commonly referred to as "0-18". The Bellows Sand Dune Site is considered to be one of the three oldest sites in Hawai'i.

Monitoring was focused on the construction of two cofferdams at each end of the bridge. Despite the "clamshelling" excavation method, cultural evidence was exposed in Site 50-0a-G7-26 (State Site 50-80-15-511). It was similar to that already documented from 0-18, including the three distinct occupational leve1s, firepits, and artifacts. Pearson, Kirch, and Pietrusewsky (1971) show dates ranging from earlier than A.D. 380 through the 1600s. By using volcanic glass hydration-rind analysis, Cordy and Tuggle (1976) present dates ranging between A.D. l096 and l343, which are contemporary too, but considerably more recent than many of Pearson's.

Moreover, one of Cordy and Tuggle's criticisms of Pearson et al. was for not clearly defining the occupational boundaries of 0-l8. The recovery of specific types of artifacts in conjunction with radiocarbon dates from charcoal samples obtained during this recent construction project may indicate the extent of the Bellows Sand Dune Site and confirm the time frame of the site's occupation by early Hawaiians.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• National Archeological Database (NADB)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Bellows Air Force Station

Repository(s): Hawaii State Historic Preservation Division

Prepared By(s): Public Archaeology Section, Applied Research Group, Bishop Museum

Submitted To(s): T. Iida Contracting, Ltd.

Record Identifiers

MS.(s): 101491

NADB document id number(s): 7702890

NADB citation id number(s): 000000376344

Notes

General Note: The initial citation information for this record was migrated into tDAR from the National Archaeological Database Reports Module (NADB-R) and has since then been updated.

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