Geo-archaeological and archaeological research on genesis and function of earthwork in Palau

巨大的史前土方工程定义了巴别尔道布岛（密克罗尼西亚帕劳共和国）的景观。考古研究证明，早在公元前3100年，帕劳就有了定居点，比其他南太平洋岛屿上出现这样的纪念碑要早几个世纪。尽管这个地区曾经有一个伟大的口头民间传说传统，但没有关于Babeldaob上梯田土方工程的建造、功能或利用的信息被传递。在拟议项目的过程中，系统的地质考古和考古调查应阐明梯田是如何和何时建造的，它们的目的是什么，以及梯田是如何以及是否随着时间的推移而改变的。我们的研究将考虑梯田作为定居、园艺、防御目的或文化实践的利用。设施的形状、位置和分布应通过地理参考航空照片记录。对选定的土方工程样品进行地质考古和考古探测、挖掘和实验室分析，应提供有关其起源、目的和以前用途的信息。数据和样品将在两次野外活动中收集，随后将进行详细的化学、物理、微形态和古生态实验室分析。所有被检查的阶地系统的分析数据将被合并并集成到一个时空模型中。在研究的最后一年，将对研究结果进行最后评价，准备出版，并将通过与专家的讨论在一个讲习班上向公众介绍。

Monumental prehistoric earthworks define the landscape of the island of Babeldaob (Republic of Palau, Micronesia). Archaeological studies prove that there were settlements on Palau as early as 3100 BP – centuries before such monuments emerged on other south pacific islands. Even though this area once had a great tradition of oral folklore, no information was passed on about the construction, function or utilization of the terraced earthworks on Babeldaob. In the course of the proposed project, systematic geo-archaeological and archaeological investigations should illuminate how and when the terraces were built, which purpose they served, and how and if the terraces have been altered over time. Our examination shall take the utilization of the terraces as settlements, horticulture, defense purposes, or as cultural practices into consideration. Shape, location, and distribution of the facilities shall be documented via geo-referenced aerial photographs. Geo-archaeological and archaeological soundings, excavations, and laboratory analysis of samples from selected earthworks should provide information of the genesis, purpose, and former usage. Data and samples shall be collected during two field campaigns, which will be followed by detailed chemical, physical, micro-morphological and palaeo-ecological laboratory analysis. The analyzed data of all examined terrace systems shall be combined and integrated into a space-time model. In the last year of research, the findings will undergo a final evaluation in preparation for publication and will also be presented to the public in a workshop through discussions with experts.