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Times of Plenty, Times of Less: Last-Millennium Societal Disruption in the Pacific Basin

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Abstract

During the last millennium in the Pacific Basin (islands and continental rim) there was a marked contrast between ‘times of plenty’ and ‘times of less’ for its human societies. This contrast is attributable to climate and sea-level variations, notably the Medieval Warm Period (a.d. 700–1250) and the Little Ice Age (a.d. 1350–1800) separated by a time of rapid cooling and sea-level fall called the ‘a.d. 1300 Event.’ Outlines of the times of plenty during the Medieval Warm Period and the times of less during the Little Ice Age are given, supported by a number of examples. These confirm a general picture of societal collapse as a result of the a.d. 1300 Event. Well-dated human responses to the a.d. 1300 Event (establishment of fortified settlements, end of ocean voyaging) allow links to potential nonhuman causes to be strengthened. Although more data referring to both (natural) changes and their human effects are needed, a conclusion involving environmental determinism is inescapable.

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Acknowledgements

Unpublished oral traditions from Yadua Island (Fiji) were collected from Maikeli Rasese by Elia Nakoro. Unpublished oral traditions from Naigani Island (Fiji) were collected by Patrick Nunn. The U.S. Navy is acknowledged for granting permission to refer to data from archaeological work in the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, Kaua‘i Island, Hawaii.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geography, Faculty of Islands and Oceans, The University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji

    Patrick D. Nunn

  2. Micronesian Archaeological Research Services (MARS), P.O. Box 22303 GMF, Agana, GU, 96921, USA

    Rosalind Hunter-Anderson

  3. International Archaeological Research Institute, Inc. (IARII), 2081 Young Street, Honolulu, HI, 96826, USA

    Mike T. Carson

  4. Pacific Studies Program, Pacific Institute of Advanced Studies, The University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji

    Frank Thomas

  5. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia

    Sean Ulm

  6. Cultural Heritage Coordination Unit, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Locked Bag 40, Coorparoo DC, Queensland, 4151, Australia

    Michael J. Rowland

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  1. Patrick D. Nunn
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  2. Rosalind Hunter-Anderson
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  3. Mike T. Carson
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  4. Frank Thomas
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  5. Sean Ulm
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Correspondence to Patrick D. Nunn.

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Nunn, P.D., Hunter-Anderson, R., Carson, M.T. et al. Times of Plenty, Times of Less: Last-Millennium Societal Disruption in the Pacific Basin. Hum Ecol 35, 385–401 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-006-9090-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-006-9090-5

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