Skeletal Biology of the Ancient Rapanui (Easter Islanders)

A succinct volume presenting current views of Rapanui prehistory, utilising biological evidence to modify existing archaeological and cultural anthropological preconceptions.

Vincent H. Stefan (Edited by), George W. Gill (Edited by)

9781107023666, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 7 January 2016

347 pages, 74 b/w illus. 2 colour illus. 53 tables
25.2 x 17.9 x 2 cm, 0.83 kg

Disseminating what is currently known about the skeletal biology of the ancient Rapanui and placing it within the wider context of Polynesian skeletal variation, this volume is the culmination of over thirty years of research into the remotely inhabited Easter Island. Compiling osteological data deriving from Rapanui skeletal remains into one succinct analysis, this book demonstrates how the application of modern skeletal biology research techniques can effectively be employed to address questions of human population origins and microevolution. Craniometrics and DNA analysis are used to provide indications as to Rapanui ancestral lineage. Evidence is presented in a user-friendly manner to allow researchers and graduates to critically analyse the current knowledge of prehistoric Rapanui skeletal variation. An important resource providing valuable evidence from human biology that modifies earlier archaeological and cultural anthropological views, this book will stimulate further research into the Rapanui.

List of contributors
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction: research overview George W. Gill
2. Review of Polynesian and Pacific skeletal biology Michael Pietrusewsky and Michele Toomay Douglas
3. Chronology and Easter Island prehistory Carl P. Lipo and Terry L. Hunt
4. A descriptive skeletal biology analysis of the ancient Easter Island population George W. Gill and Vincent H. Stefan
5. Craniometric variation of the prehistoric Polynesians and Rapanui Vincent H. Stefan
6. Rapanui nonmetric cranial traits Patrick M. Chapman
7. Intra-island discrete cranial trait variation Thomas Furgeson and George W. Gill
8. Continuous nonmetric characteristics of the early Rapanui George W. Gill
9. Rapanui dental morphology Vincent H. Stefan and Randy Rozen
10. Pelvic variability and sexual dimorphism in prehistoric Rapanui Amber Harrison and Nathan K. Harper
11. Genetic affinities of the Rapanui Erika Hagelberg
12. Archaeogenetics and paleodemographic estimation of founding populations: features of residential geography on Rapanui John V. Dudgeon, Amy S. Commendador and Monica Tromp
13. Evidence for injuries and violent death Douglas W. Owsley, Kathryn G. Barca, Vicki E. Simon and George W. Gill
14. Demographic analysis of modified crania from Rapanui Douglas W. Owsley, Vicki E. Simon, Kathryn G. Barca, Jo Anne Van Tilburg and Deidre Whitmore
15. East Polynesian and Paleoindian parallels and contrasts in skeletal morphology George W. Gill
16. Rapanui origins, relationships and warfare: a summary in theoretical context George W. Gill and Vincent H. Stefan
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Biology, life sciences [PS], Mathematics & science [P], Anthropology [JHM]