Marquesan Origins

Migrations of the Polynesians

Marquesans, known to themselves as Enata, are Polynesians. They are closely related to the Indigenous peoples of Tahiti, Hawaii, Ao Te Roa and Rapa Nui. Ancestors of the Polynesian originated in East Asia around 5000 years ago. These ancestors invented the outrigger sailing canoe in the Philippines. Later, early Polynesians invented the double-hull canoe (catamaran). They learned to navigate using the wind, stars and ocean currents.

Canoe Plants

Ancestors of Enata carried useful plants in their canoes as they sailed from Asia. These "canoe plants" included breadfruit, taro and bananas. They also brought pigs, dogs, rats, and chickens from Asia. Polynesians even sailed to South America and back, likely from Rapa Nui and/or Te Fenua Enata. When they returned to Polynesia, they brought the sweet potato with them.

Hanamiai, Tahuata

The Beginning

The first human settlement of Hanamiai dates to 700-800 years ago. These artifacts, all from the earliest settlement, reveal some of the activities that occurred on the Hanamiai coast. These activities included the manufacture of pearl shell fishhooks, and the use and manufacturing of stone adzes.

Hanamiai as seen from the Tiaua Pass. The Hanamiai Dune archaeological site is on the coast.

The first Hanamiai excavation, in 1985. Teavau Aniamioi, Jacky Tetahiotupa, So Teiefitu.

The first Hanamiai excavation, in 1985. Barry Rolett, So Teiefitu, Jacky Tetahiotupa, Tana Timau.

How the site is dated

Archaeologists use radiocarbon dating of charcoal and shell to determine the age the site. Hanamiai was inhabited from AD 1200 until AD 1900.

Fish hooks from the Hanamiai excavations.

Trolling lures (shanks and points) from the Hanamiai excavations.

The Lost Birds of Tahuata

Before the arrival of enata, native birds had no predators. Many birds nested on the ground and some even lost the ability to fly. Within a hundred years after the arrival of enata and the animals they introduced, the most vulnerable birds were driven to extinction. This pattern of extinctions is common throughout Polynesia.

Buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis), a species related to some of Tahuata's extinct flightless birds.

Many bones of flightless and ground nesting birds were found during excavation of the earliest deposits of the Hanamiai site. The presence of these bones tells us that Hanamiai was settled within a hundred years following the first discovery of the island.

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