Archaeology of Luatele Crater: Ritual and Prestige of the Tuimanu'a, Ta'u Island, American Samoa

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2021: General Sessions" session, at the 86th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

An archaeological survey covering 50 acres was conducted in and around Luatele or Judds Crater, an extinct volcano, on Taʻu Island, Manuʻa District, American Samoa. The project identified 24 precontact sites comprising 101 archaeological features and a 142 m cave associated with the Samoan legend of Vaatausili. These features include star mounds, oval boulder mounds, platforms, rock walls, and terraces associated with Solo Tagata or “line of people." At the base of the crater is a large mound with small stone mounds and walls surrounding this central edifice. The archaeological features and cultural histories of Luatele suggest ritual and sociopolitical sources of mana or prestige for the persistent dynasty of the premier chief, Tuimanuʻa, complementing other studies citing the intensification of agriculture during the fourteenth century.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 86th Annual Meeting, Online (2021)   •
• SAA 2021: General Sessions

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 32075