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

Patrick Nunn; R Hunter-Anderson; M T Carson; S Ulm; M J Rowland

doi:10.1007/s10745-006-9090-5

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

Journal article

Peer reviewed

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

Patrick Nunn, R Hunter-Anderson, M T Carson, S Ulm and M J Rowland

Human Ecology, Vol.35(4), pp.358-401

2007

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

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Abstract

Anthropology

Pacific Basin

climate change

sea-level change

societal collapse

environmental determinism

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.

Details

Title: Times of Plenty, Times of Less: Last-Millennium Societal Disruption in the Pacific Basin
Authors: Patrick Nunn (Author) - University of the South Pacific
R Hunter-Anderson (Author) - Micronesian Archaeological Research Services
M T Carson (Author) - International Archaeological Research Institute, Inc
S Ulm (Author) - University of Queensland
M J Rowland (Author) - Department of Natural Resources and Mines, QLD
Publication details: Human Ecology, Vol.35(4), pp.358-401
Publisher: Springer New York LLC
Date published: 2007
DOI: 10.1007/s10745-006-9090-5
ISSN: 0300-7839
Organisation Unit: Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450055202621
Output Type: Journal article

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