Archaeometric analyses of adze-blades on Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands

Abstract

In this paper we present our results based on detailed archaeometric (mineralogical, petrological and geochemical) investigations on two flakes, originated from Nuku Hiva, Vaitehii I and Ha’ahinani sites. The main aim of these researches was to determine and characterise the raw material of the stone tools and determine or at least outline their provenances. Based on the mineralogical composition and texture the flake origined from Vaitehii I are basalt and it is very similar to the local Tekao type tholeiitic basalt. On the contrary the raw materials of the flake origined from Ha’ahinani is phonolite, its provenance is Ua Pou island.