Links between climatic histories and the rise and fall of a Pacific chiefdom.

ABSTRACT: Sea level rise and climate change are shaping present societies, particularly those on oceanic islands. Few historical examples could serve as references for these changes. One such potential model is the Saudeleur Dynasty with its capital Nan Madol on the Pacific Island of Pohnpei. However, the timing of its construction, as well as the dynasty's fluctuations and potential environmental influences, has remained unresolved. Through the analyses of ²³⁰Th ages on 171 dates on corals fragments used as building materials and charcoal ¹⁴C ages from excavations, 2 major construction phases spanning from the 10th to the 15th century CE can be discerned. The results show that the first phase of the site's construction, spanning the 10th-12th century, marked the dynasty's rise

SUBMITTER: Shen CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11443547 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature