The changing role of irrigated Colocasia esculenta (taro) on Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands: from an essential element of colonization to an important risk-reduction strategy. From: Asian Perspectives: the Journal of Archaeology for Asia and thePacific | Date: March 22, 2008| Author: | COPYRIGHT 2008 University of Hawaii Press. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information) Copyright information

ABSTRACT

This paper proposes that, on the Marquesan island of Nuku Hiva, wet cultivation of Colocasia taro was important in initial colonization because it was the most energy-efficient and fastest-producing crop. In later periods its caloric contribution was eclipsed by breadfruit, but irrigated taro played an important risk-reduction role.

Keywords: Agriculture, archaeology, intensification, risk-reduction, irrigation, Polynesia.

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This paper argues that, for some islands in Polynesia, wet cultivation of taro (Colocasia esculenta [L.] Schott) (1) would ...

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