Survey and excavation of residential and ritual sites in upper Amehiti ‘Opunohu valley, Mo’orea

Archaeolological survey in the upper Amehiti sector of the ‘Opunohu valley documented a high density of sites differing in spatial layout, size, and elaboration from those found in the better studied Tupauruuru sector. Of special interest is the massive ScMo-329-330 complex, where three fare haupape are situated next to an expansive agricultural complex replete with dryland terraces, wetland irrigated terraces, and barrage complexes. Excavations at several residential sites (fare haupape, fare pote’e) and marae in eleven site complexes documented a settlement history ranging from the mid-14th- 19th centuries. The excavation of eight habitation sites add substantiallytothecorpusofhouseholdarchaeologyintheSocietyIslandarchipelagoanddocumentssubstantialdifferencesamong fare haupape and fare pote’e in terms of social status, use, and chronology of construction. Specialized house structures associated with the high status ‘arioi cult were constructed late in the prehistoric period, documenting the presence of at least some high status households in the Amehiti sector at this time. Temples were constructed during the initial phase of occupation (from the mid-14th century onwards). The placement of marae on the Amehiti landscape suggests that temples were constructed strategically by Ma’ohi populations to validate claims to land and important resources (streams, springs). Amehiti temples are also associated with high points on the landscape, materializing elements of the tapu system where higher elevation equates with high sacredness. Service de la Culture et du Patrimoine Bilan de la recherche archéologique en Polynésie française 2005-2015. Dossier d’Archeologie polynésienne 6