In 1985 I received a request from the Historic Preservation Officer of
American Samoa, Mr. Stan Sorensen, to submit a proposal for archaeological
survey work in American Samoa. Realizing that the Manu'a Islands, lying
at the extreme eastern end of the Samoan archipelago, were the most neglected
part of the Samoan group from the viewpoint of prehistory, I suggested that
we might undertake a reconnaissance of the three islands-Ta'u, Ofu, and
Olosega-that make up Manu'a. A previous survey in 1962, by Y. Sinoto and
W. Kikuchi of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum, had revealed the presence of
various surface archaeological sites, but had failed to establish any significant
time depth for the prehistoric occupation of these islands. The proposed
reconnaissance was carried by Terry Hunt and myself from June to August,
1986 and resulted in the discovery of the first pottery-bearing sites in
the Manu'a group, on Ta'u and Ofu, as well as a range of later prehistoric
monuments and artifacts. (The results of the 1986 reconnaissance survey
were subsequently published by Hunt and myself in The Journal of the
Polynesian Society, Vol. 97, pages 153-83, 1988.)
From the results of our initial survey, it appeared that ceramic-bearing
deposits exposed by a Works Department landfill at To'aga on Ofu Island
were particularly promising for further archaeological investigations. Thus,
in 1987 we proposed to the Historic Preservation Office a second phase of
work at To'aga. In this second phase, we recommended a series of systematic
subsurface test excavations in order to determine more accurately the nature
and extent of the To'aga site deposits. This second field season in 1987
was again directed by Hunt and myself, with the assistance of Jason Tyler
and Jean Gehman. (Preliminary results of this work were published in Archaeology
in Oceania, Volume 25, pages 1-15, 1990).
The 1987 excavations revealed the presence of a deep, well-stratified prehistoric
record in the To'aga area, with subsurface deposits spanning most-if not
all-of Manu'an prehistory. These strata were so extensive, however, that
we were not able to determine their limits in the 1987 field season. Therefore,
a third season was proposed to define more precisely the full subsurface
extent of the site. This work was carried out in the summer of 1989, with
fieldwork co-directed by Hunt and me, and with the assistance of a team
of students from the University of Hawaii and the University of California
at Berkeley.
This monograph constitutes the final report of our three field seasons at
the To'aga site. While our core objectives were those of site survey and
inventory (with the aim of preparing a National Register of Historic Places
nomination for To'aga), we have endeavored to go well beyond these minimal
goals in the present work. Thus, we have carried out extensive analyses
of much of the excavated material, including faunal remains, ceramics, and
basalt artifacts. In addition, we have paid considerable attention to the
geomorphological and geoarchaeological problems of site formation at To'aga,
noting that these also impinge on cultural resource management considerations.
We trust that these efforts contribute significantly to our knowledge of
Western Polynesian prehistory as well as to site survey and inventory in
American Samoa.
During the course of our three expeditions to Manu'a we have received the
support and assistance of a great many individuals and organizations. Our
primary source of funding has been the Historic Preservation Office of the
Department of Parks and Recreation, Government of American Samoa, through
grants from the U. S. National Park Service, Archaeological Assistance Division.
Additional support has been provided by the Burke Museum of the University
of Washington (for the 1986 and 1987 seasons), and the Archaeological Research
Facility of the University of California at Berkeley (for the 1989 season).
We are particularly grateful to Stan Sorensen, the Historic Preservation
Officer of American Samoa, for his interest and support from the inception
of this project. Anne Sauter of the Archaeological Research Facility at
Berkeley assisted in various administrative matters. Tanya Smith carefully
edited and produced this final monograph.
Two respective district governors of Manu'a have lent their support to the
project: High Chief Aolaolagi Soli and High Chief Tufele Li'a. We are also
pleased to record the support of the people of Ofu Village, especially High
Chief Misa'alefua, High Talking Chief Faoa, Liulamaga Ta'ilele, Manu'a Peau,
and Sina Peau. In 1987, Tito and Margaret Malae assisted greatly with housing
and other arrangments. Likewise, in 1989 Manu'a Peau and her family provided
housing, hospitality, and a sense of being at home with family.
Our field crews of Ivala Live, Fuave'a Ta'ilele, Tillis Thompson, Pauesi
Malo, Eleloi Misa'alefua, Ele'ele Utuone, Paulo Su'e, and Opetaia Fa'amita
were not only dedicated workers, but interested co-investigators. We also
thank Jason Tyler, Jean Gehman, Elizabeth Manning, Conrad Erkelens, Melissa
Kirkendal, Robert Holsen, Lisa Nagaoka, and Ann Rowberg, who assisted in
the 1987 and 1989 fieldwork.
Prof. Roger C. Green of the University of Auckland kindly reviewed the entire
manuscript, and we are most grateful for his insightful comments.
Throughout all field seasons, John and Dorothy Kneubuhl of Tutuila generously
opened their home to us and to our assistants, and helped us in countless
ways. John's profound knowledge of Samoan culture and history was a constant
inspiration. His visit to our field site in 1989, arriving with only a suitcase
crammed full of two large legs of lamb, mint sauce, and a bottle of good
scotch whiskey, was an event not soon to be forgotten. It was with profound
sadness that we learned of his death in Tutuila in February of 1992. As
a small token of our esteem for John we dedicate this volume to his memory.
Patrick V. Kirch
Berkeley, January 1991