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 coasts. 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.  On Rapa Nui students will conduct archaeological field survey, detailed mapping, and small-scale excavations on archaeological sites. We will work directly with Native Rapanui students. We will also work with the P. Sebastian Englert Museum of Anthropology on the island. We will live in a simple hotel in Hanga Roa, Rapa Nui's only town. 

Our field work will be conducted on prehistoric habitations and other sites in a northwestern coastal sector of the island. A vast amount of previous archaeological research by Chilean and international scientists on the island illustrates the richness and complexity of the prehistoric, historic, and palaeo-environmental record on this fascinating and anthropologically significant island.