The Polynesian Voyaging Canoe: The Regionalization of Seafaring Technologies
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Date
2018-03
Authors
Ranney, Kristopher Elias
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Scholars in the field of Oceanic archeology and anthropology have radically altered the accepted narrative of human habitation of the Polynesian islands in recent years, emphasizing a rapid expansion of territory along with some evidence of trade and cultural exchange. This indicates a sophisticated seafaring culture, capable of maintaining contact between island groups for several hundred years after the initial dispersal. The canoes of Polynesia have thus been reexamined in terms of utility and complexity, but no dedicated effort has been adequately made to examine the regional derivative canoe designs against the various proposed prehistoric voyaging canoes, nor has there been an effort of backward analysis from those designs. By examining historic sources describing the canoes used at the time of European contact along with other datasets, the evolution of their design can be better understood. This is given with consideration of the ecological and cultural realities specific to the region, which in turn grants a clearer picture of the original Polynesian voyaging canoe.
Description
79 pages. Presented to the Department of History and the Robert D. Clark Honors College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts March 2018
Keywords
History, Archaeology, Regionalization, Canoe, Polynesia, Boat, Colonization, Technology