The fate of the Henderson Island Polynesians - An interpretation by comparing fish caught with archaeological middens : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours

Abstract

An explanation for the fate of Henderson Island Polynesians, as inferred from fish caught inside and outside Henderson's reef, was studied over a three month period during 1991-92. Fishing success using modern metal as well as replica black lipped pearl shell fish hooks was compared with fish bones recovered from middens. The fish size and species caught outside the lagoon were significantly different from those caught inside. Metal hooks caught significantly more fish/hour compared with the shell hooks but, there was no significant difference in species composition or size. The relevance of the mean size difference offish caught and the observed gradual decrease in fish bone size in the middens to the explanation for the Polynesians' disappearance is discussed.