Feathered Gods and Fishhooks - 2nd Edition by Patrick Vinton Kirch & Mark D McCoy (Paperback)

About the Book

"The first edition of Feathered Gods and Fishhooks was the pioneering synthesis of ancient Hawaiian civilization from an archaeological perspective. This long-awaited revised edition now brings the field up-to-date, incorporating the results from literally hundreds of archaeological projects undertaken throughout the Hawaiian Islands over the past thirty-five years that have benefited from tremendous technological advancements, and presents an authoritative account of the origins and progression of Hawaiian culture prior to the arrival of Europeans. Generously illustrated, this revision includes dozens of new photographs and maps, along with a selection of color plates. This volume, like its predecessor, provides a synthesis of Hawaiian archaeology that avoids unnecessary jargon and is comprehensible to the interested layperson, yet is sufficiently detailed to be useful to the professional archaeologist. Feathered Gods and Fishhooks begins with an explanation of archaeological practice in Hawai°i, from antiquarian pursuits in the late nineteenth century through the development of modern research techniques, taking into account the recent tensions surrounding the significant shift of archaeology from a largely academic endeavor to a professional consulting enterprise. Following a review of environmental constraints and opportunities, and of the main kinds of archaeological evidence, the book explores the latest information on the first Polynesian settlement of Hawai°i. To achieve a holistic view, the wide range of topics discussed in this work include material culture, agricultural systems, population size, ritual architecture variations, diversity in landscapes, and archaeological evidence for historical transformations following European contact. The final chapters survey, island-by-island, major sites and patterns of ancient settlement. In total, this book tells a story of Hawaiian history, culture, and wisdom in an attempt to preserve ancestral archaeological records. As with the first edition, Feathered Gods and Fishhooks: The Archaeology of Ancient Hawai°i is an indispensable resource on the history of ancient Hawai°i. Of particular note is the extensive bibliography, a key guide to hundreds of often difficult to locate reports and publications on Hawaiian archaeology"--

Book Synopsis

The first edition of Feathered Gods and Fishhooks was the pioneering synthesis of ancient Hawaiian civilization from an archaeological perspective. This long-awaited revised edition now brings the field up to date, incorporating the results from hundreds of archaeological projects undertaken throughout the Hawaiian Islands over the past thirty-five years that have benefited from tremendous technological advancements, and presents an authoritative account of the origins and progression of Hawaiian culture prior to the arrival of Europeans. Generously illustrated, this revision includes dozens of new photographs and maps, along with a selection of color plates.

This volume, like its predecessor, provides a synthesis of Hawaiian archaeology that avoids unnecessary jargon and is comprehensible to the interested layperson, yet is sufficiently detailed to be useful to the professional archaeologist. Feathered Gods and Fishhooks: The Archaeology of Ancient Hawai'i begins with an explanation of archaeological practice in Hawai'i, from antiquarian pursuits in the late nineteenth century through the development of modern research techniques, taking into account the recent tensions surrounding the significant shift of archaeology from a largely academic endeavor to a professional consulting enterprise. Following a review of environmental constraints and opportunities, and of the main kinds of archaeological evidence, the book explores the latest information on the first Polynesian settlement of Hawai'i. To achieve a holistic view, the wide range of topics discussed in this work include material culture, agricultural systems, population size, ritual architecture variations, diversity in landscapes, and archaeological evidence for historical transformations following European contact. The final chapters survey, island-by-island, major sites and patterns of ancient settlement. In total, this book tells a story of Hawaiian history, culture, and wisdom in an attempt to preserve ancestral archaeological records.

As with the first edition, the revised Feathered Gods and Fishhooks is an indispensable resource on the history of ancient Hawai'i. Of particular note is the extensive bibliography, a key guide to hundreds of often difficult-to-locate reports and publications on Hawaiian archaeology.

Review Quotes

The first edition of this book was once the definitive guide to Hawaiian prehistory, but since its publication nearly 40 years ago, [n]umerous archaeological projects have been undertaken in Hawai'i, and innovations in techniques and methodologies in both archaeology and associated fields have advanced knowledge, demanding a fresh synthesis. This long-awaited revision skillfully brings this pioneering work up to date. Kirch and McCoy make good use of data from collateral fields such as linguistics, biological anthropology, and ethnohistory to support archaeological interpretations. . . . Written in an accessible style, this book will appeal to both professional archaeologists and an interested public.--R. Scaglion, emeritus, University of Pittsburgh "Choice, 62:1 (September 2024)"

About the Author

Patrick Vinton Kirch (Author) Patrick Vinton Kirch is professor of anthropology at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, and professor emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley.Mark D. McCoy (Author) Mark D. McCoy is professor of anthropology at Florida State University in Tallahassee.