Aug. 3, 2006 — An ancient temple system on the Hawaiian island of Maui is about 400 years older than previously thought, according to an extensive archaeological study.
The finding contradicts a prior theory that Maui’s temples were built within a span of just a few decades around the year 1600. Some researchers now think the temples were built over the course of 500 years, with construction cycles peaking during periods of significant political change.
"We see construction phases that parallel shifts in political control," said Michael Kolb, who led the study, which has been accepted for publication in the journal Current Anthropology.
Kolb, a professor of anthropology at Northern Illinois University, added, "Chiefs likely wanted to mark their territory. Whenever a new leader came into power, he would probably seek to validate his new political and ideological ideas through modification or expansion of the temple system."
Radiocarbon dating of charcoal from beneath the building foundations formed the basis of the new research. The charcoal remains were left behind after ancient builders cleared vegetation with controlled fires.
Usually archaeologists rely on dating of ceramics, but ceramics did not exist in early Hawaiian history.
"There is not a lot of soil formation on the islands, so the Polynesians who settled on Maui lacked clay and therefore pottery," Kolb told Discovery News.
The charcoal dating determined that Pihana temple, located in Halekii-Pihana State Park, is Maui’s oldest temple. According to the new data, the existing ruins date to 1214.
One of the island’s best-known temples is Pi’ilanihale Heiau, which means The House of Pi’ilani, who was a popular chief. It is Maui’s largest temple, covering more area than a football field and standing 40 feet in height. Pi’ilanihale was dated to 1294.
