Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

Archaeology

Of rats and resilience

A revised timeline for the arrival of settlers on Mangaia island in Polynesia reveals the resilience of this population, which overcame an environmental crisis through bold measures to support a sustainable society.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1: The landscape of Mangaia island has been shaped by human intervention.

Patrick V. Kirch

Notes

  1. See all news & views

References

  1. Kirch, P. On the Road of the Winds: An Archaeological History of the Pacific Islands Before European Contact (Univ. California Press, 2000).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Weisler, M. in The Pitcairn Islands: Biogeography, Ecology, and Prehistory (eds Benton, T. & Spencer, T.) 377–404 (Academic, 1995).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Kirch, P. (ed.) Tangatatau Rockshelter (Mangaia, Southern Cook Islands): The Evolution of an Eastern Polynesian Socio-ecosystem (Cotsen Inst. Archaeol. Press, 2017).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Skoglund. P. et al. Nature 538, 510–513 (2016).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. Kirch, P. Annu. Rev. Anthropol. 39, 131–148 (2010).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Kirch, P. & Ellison, J. Antiquity 68, 310–321 (1994).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Spriggs, M. & Anderson, A. Antiquity 67, 200–217 (1993).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Kirch, P. V., Conte, E., Sharp, W. & Nickelsen, C. Archaeol. Oceania 45, 66–79 (2010).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Hiroa, T. R. Mangaian Society (Bishop Mus. Press, 1934).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Kirch, P. V. & Yen, D. E. Tikopia: The Prehistory and Ecology of a Polynesian Outlier (Bishop Mus. Press, 1982).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Williams, J. A Narrative of Missionary Enterprises in the South Sea Islands (Snow, 1837).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Montenegro, A., Callaghan, R. P. & Fitzpatrick, S. M. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 113, 12685–12690 (2016).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Keegan, W. F. & Diamond, J. M. Adv. Archaeol.Method Theor. 10, 49–92 (1987).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Roullier, C., Benoit, L., McKey, D. B. & Lebot, V. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 110, 2205–2210 (2013).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jared Diamond.

Related links

Related links

Related links in Nature Research

Archaeology: Sources of Chaco wood

Population history: Human melting pots in southeast Asia

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Diamond, J. Of rats and resilience. Nature 545, 32–33 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/545032a

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/545032a

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing