Settlement and societal development in Samoa (c. 1200 BCE–1300 CE)

1. Lapita seafarers reach the Samoan archipelago

   Jan 1, 930 BCELabels: Lapita people, Samoa

   • Radiocarbon
   • Samoan Studies

2. Mulifanua Lapita site is occupied on Upolu

   Jan 1, 880 BCELabels: Mulifanua site, Lapita pottery

   • Radiocarbon
   • Samoan Studies

3. To’aga on Ofu shows early long-running occupation

   Jan 1, 835 BCELabels: To'aga site, Manu'a Islands

   • To aga Paper
   • NPS To aga

4. Pottery shifts from decorated Lapita to plainware

   Jan 1, 600 BCELabels: Polynesian Plainware, Lapita tradition

   • Radiocarbon
   • Lapita Culture

5. Coastal villages expand and food production intensifies

   Jan 1, 350 BCELabels: Coastal villages, Agriculture

   • To aga Paper
   • NPS To aga

6. Pottery production declines and eventually stops

   Jan 1, 500Labels: Aceramic phase, Pottery cessation

   • Lapita Culture
   • To aga Paper

7. Monument building begins to reshape Samoan landscapes

   Jan 1, 700Labels: Monumental architecture, Samoa

   • Smithsonian
   • Pulemelei

8. Pulemelei develops as a major central place

   Jan 1, 900Labels: Pulemelei complex, Savai'i

   • ANU Record
   • Pulemelei

9. Construction of the Pulemelei mound begins

   Jan 1, 1100Labels: Pulemelei mound, Monument construction

   • Pulemelei
   • Smithsonian

10. Ritual cooking features (umu ti) spread at Pulemelei

    Jan 1, 1200Labels: Umu ti, Pulemelei

    • Pulemelei
    • ANU Record

11. Samoan chiefly governance (fa‘amatai) consolidates

    Jan 1, 1250Labels: Fa'amatai, Matai

    • NPS Traditions
    • Fa amatai

12. By 1300 CE, complex settlements anchor Samoan society

    Jan 1, 1300Labels: Complex settlements, Samoan society

    • Smithsonian
    • NPS To aga