Addresses a central problem in anthropological archaeology: the emergence of "archaic states" whose distinctive feature was divine kingship. In this title, the author takes as his focus the Hawaiian archipelago, commonly regarded as the archetype of a complex chiefdom.
"With unparalleled knowledge of Polynesia's history, ecology, languages, and archaeology, Patrick V. Kirch shows us how, when, and why Hawaiian society crossed the gulf from chiefdom to state. Elegantly crafted and eloquently stated, this compelling case study offers a model for understanding state emergence and the origins of divine kings."--Joyce Marcus, University of Michigan
"Complete and compelling. . . . This is an important book, and everyone with a serious interest in Hawaiian history should read it."
