Keanakolu
(“The Three Caves”)
In 2001, 2003, and
2005, UH Hilo archaeological field schools were conducted in the area of
Keanakolu (“the three caves”) between 5,300 ft. and 6,400 ft. in elevation on
the slopes of Mauna Kea near the border of the North Hilo District and H~m~kua District. Students have
collected oral histories and conducted regional survey, mapping, and
preliminary testing of various sites. Significant aspects of the project
included: 1) mapping and sampling of wood charcoal deposits in the Keanakolu
Caves complex (site 50-10-15-24249, photo to right); 2) mapping a stone corral
and several nearby foundations (site 24250) one of which is the ruins of a
stone house with a fireplace and chimney (~1860s-1890s) that was partially
excavated in 2005 (see below); 3) identification and test excavation of a house
platform, cistern, and privy (~1860s-1870s) at Lahohinu (site 24251); 4)
documentation and limited soil-coring of a late nineteenth century koa log
cabin homestead (site 07642) ; 5) photo-documentation of various Civilian
Conservation Corps structures currently managed by the Division of Forestry and
Wildlife (site 24252); and finally, 6) mapping the ruins of a nineteenth
century-to early twentieth century paniolo camp (site 24253). The overall anthropological focus has been
to consider how foreign immigrants fused their cultural practices with
indigenous social structures to create a new form of subsistence and livelihood
on the upper mountain, giving rise to the celebrated paniolo ranching
culture of Hawai`i. These hinterland
communities differed from, but interacted with, plantation communities closer
to the coast. Such interactions led to
complex social, economic, and ecological relationships that greatly transformed
the natural and cultural landscapes of 19th century Hawaii. The pervasive effects of globalized
economies are also strongly reflected in the artifact inventories.
Select artifact photos from 50-10-15-24250—Stone Corral Complex
Small stoneware food jar and lid.
Glass bottles and
containers
Top left to right- Lubin Parfumeur Paris; Burnett’s Boston; Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral, Lowell, Mass.; unidentified paneled bottle. Bottom row: unidentified fragments.
Below: Detail of Lubin Parfumeur Paris, note the
drill-hole (not shot) on the reverse side (late 19th century). A drill-hole is also present on the
Burnett’s bottle.
Small sample of the bird bone and fishbone collected from the house floor (the latter of which was most unexpected 6000 ft!)
“Old
Cognac” bottle cap
Percussion caps recovered from the house floor, with a detail photo of the various types (below).
A .69 caliber musketball (with sprue still attached) and
various other pieces of lead sprue (right).
Small lead shot (much of which appears to have been produced on site), either from shotguns or “buck and ball” combinations which could also be fired from smooth-bore muskets. In this context, small lead shot also seems indicative of bird-hunting.
Decorative lion motif
