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PACIFIC
PREHISTORY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I
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| Rapa
Nui Archaeological Field School 2002 |
Application (.pdf) | Site Report | Links | |
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University
of Hawai`i Archaeological Field School, Rapa Nui 2002 |
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THE FIELD SCHOOL The 2002 University of Hawai`i Archaeological Field School will be held on the famous, remote island of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the farthest reaches of Polynesia. Our field research will be conducted on ancient habitation and related sites on coastal lands on the island's rugged northwest and southern shorelines. These areas contain a wealth of well-preserved remains, including prehistoric statues (moai) and ceremonial platforms (ahu), boat-shaped houses, habitation caves, agricultural features, and several other site forms. Our work will document these sites with archaeological field survey, detailed mapping, and limited excavations. Students will work directly on these sites and learn multiple aspects of cutting-edge field methods. |
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THE ISLAND Rapa Nui, located 3,700 km west of South America and 2250 km southeast of Pitcairn, is among the world's most isolated places. The island is only 171 km2 (66 mi2), but boasts magnificent megalithic sculptures, rock art, and remarkable structural remains. The prehistoric people of Rapa Nui produced nearly one thousand massive statues and moved hundreds of them to distance locations over the entire island. The statues, along with other features of the island's prehistory, have led to much archaeological speculation and research. The archaeology and natural history of this small, isolated island have drawn a great deal of attention, yet few people actually ever get to visit this remarkable place. |
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RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND READING There are several excellent sources describing archaeology and prehistory on Rapa Nui. Three of the best, widely-available publications are:
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LONG-TERM RESEARCH GOALS & FIELD OBJECTIVES (2002 +) We plan continuing and long-term field and analytic research on Rapa Nui archaeology, palaeo-environment, and palaeo-demography with goals of building a synthetic and theoretically-informed prehistory for the island (Hunt & Lipo 2002). Chilean and international scholars have completed years of excellent field research, analysis, and publication providing a strong foundation for continued work. And our field school work completed in 2001 initiated a broad survey, mapping, and excavation program at Maitaki te Moa on the island's northwest coast. We hope to build on a strong foundation of existing data and examine questions of evolutionary change on this small, remote island where much is known, but a great deal still remains to be explored and explained. Our immediate goal is to integrate field training for local Rapanui and U.H. field school students with basic archaeological research. Research will focus on comparative and synthetic analysis of the chronology of prehistoric Rapa Nui settlement pattern, subsistence, palaeo-environments, and inter-related long-term changes such expressed in palaeo-demography, monumental architecture and statuary, and the impact of European contact. Our research goals can be accomplished by intensive survey and mapping, complemented by limited, small-scale excavations to recover materials for analysis and absolute dating. And in the interests of archaeological preservation on the island, we believe research problems should draw on extant collections and data whenever possible. Our museum-based work reflects our commitment to this conservation ethic. We hope our field research will also contribute to the long-term preservation and protection of archaeological sites on Rapa Nui. Such preservation is in the interest of the Rapanui people and the wider community. 0ur long-term research interests, commitments, and relations on the island should provide multiple opportunities for qualified students, graduate and undergraduate, to join us and undertake research on the island. University of Hawai`i offers an unparalleled program for Pacific Island archaeology integrated with a dedication to historical science and the application of the latest advances in archaeological method and theory. |
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FIELD CONDITIONS We will stay in simple shared housing in a hotel in the town of Hanga Roa. Our accommodation will have showers, flush toilets, and indoor plumbing. Meals and associated clean up will be provided. Winter (June-August) conditions are cool and rain showers are sudden and frequent. Although, the weather can also be "perfect", with sunshine and temperatures in the 70s. Low temperatures can typically range from lows in the 50s (degrees F), with highs in the low 70s, but the wind-chill at times makes it seem much colder, so plan for appropriate gear and clothing. Students must bring hiking boots (i.e., protective shoes with good ankle support). Other personal items should include a hat, sunglasses, and a day-pack. A poncho or jacket for wind and rain will be necessary on most days. Sweaters and jackets are often necessary. Other necessities include sun screen and all personal supplies and prescriptions. We will have little, if any access to regular shopping, etc., while on the island. Students need to plan for nearly five weeks of personal self-sufficiency. Keep in mind things such as backup contact lenses or a second pair of glasses. In terms of medical needs, we strongly recommend a good antibacterial soap (e.g., Lever 2000), personal first aid supplies, and a non-prescription anti-diarrhea drug. Students must check with their physician and be current on all standard vaccinations, particularly tetanus. Doctors will commonly prescribe a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics to use in the event of skin or other bacterial infections. Students may also want to consider getting the vaccines for hepatitis A & B (but plan ahead). Be sure to talk with your doctor about other precautions for your health in an isolated location with limited medical facilities. Rapa Nui is a small, traditional society. Consequently, students must keep to rules of proper conduct in mind at all times and plan their visit accordingly. We will ask all participants to sign a code of conduct appropriate to local laws, customs, and the University of Hawai`i code of student conduct. |
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COSTS AND OTHER DETAILS Tuition for Hawai`i residents will be $756 and $780 for non-residents. An institute fee of $2,500 includes field school supplies, simple shared accommodation, most food, and ground transportation on the island. Round-trip airfares should be added to the total cost (see typical fares below). These costs DO NOT include inexpensive dormitory housing, food, and transportation while at U.H. during the first week of orientation, nor do they include the costs of our unavoidable stopover in Tahiti (French Polynesia). The application deadline is April 12, 2002. Qualified students will be accepted on a continuing basis, so qualified students who apply early have a better chance of admission. Our class limit is 20 students. We will notify all student applicants of their admission no later than April 15. Students admitted after our class limit is filled will be offered a place on a waiting list; positions may become available if those admitted in the first 20 later decide not to attend. Once admitted to the field school, students should register for ANTH 381 (6 credits) and meet payment deadlines (to be specified at a future date) to insure their place on the field school. The field school begins on 1 July in Honolulu and will conclude on Rapa Nui by 8 August, 2002. We will advise you on flights to Rapa Nui (via Tahiti) from Honolulu. Group travel should allow us to secure discounts with the airlines (see below). |
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Round-trip airfares to Rapa Nui are approximately $1,250 from Honolulu and $1,350 from Los Angeles. Fares from other regions of the U.S. are usually not significantly higher (i.e., inexpensive "add-on" fares get you to L.A.). We will use one travel agent and may be able to get discounted tickets for all students. At this point we do not know what kind of discount we might be able to secure, but it may be as much as 10% off the lowest fares. |
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APPLICATION PROCEDURES To apply simply print the application form, complete all sections including the supplemental information, and return the hard-copy by regular mail (air mail from outside the U.S.) to Dr. Hunt before the application deadline (April 12, 2002). Please note that the application includes a short essay explaining your background, interests, and the reasons you wish to attend the University of Hawai`i's Rapa Nui Archaeological Field School. Qualified students who apply early will increase their chances of admission. You will need two other things to complete your application: 1) Please have your academic transcripts sent to Dr. Hunt to arrive about the same time as your other application materials. 2) Please ask one of your professors to write a letter of recommendation for you. Ask someone who knows you fairly well. Letters should be sent directly to Dr. Hunt, also to arrive about the same time as your application. Letters sent by e-mail or facsimile are fine. Please contact Dr. Terry Hunt by e-mail (thunt@hawaii.edu) or by phone (808-956-7310) with any specific questions. Applications can be submitted anytime prior to the deadline of April 12, 2002. Students will be accepted during this period until our limit (20) has been reached. Thus, qualified students who apply early have the best chance of admission. Instructor: Dr. Terry L. Hunt, Associate Professor of Anthropology Dates: July 1 to August 8, 2002 Register For: ANTH 381, 6 credits Application Deadline: April 12, 2002 Class Limit: 20 |
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