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

不朽的史前土方工程勾勒出了Babeldaob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--比南太平洋其他岛屿上出现这样的纪念碑早了几个世纪。尽管这个地区曾经有伟大的口头民俗传统，但没有关于Babeldaob上梯田土方工程的建造、功能或利用的信息。在拟议的项目过程中，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，它们的用途是什么，以及梯田随着时间的推移是否发生了变化。我们的审查应考虑将梯田作为聚落、园艺、防御目的或作为文化实践的利用。设施的形状、位置和分布应通过地理参考航空照片进行记录。地质考古和考古探测、挖掘和选定土方工程样本的实验室分析应提供有关土方工程的起源、用途和以前用途的信息。应在两个实地活动期间收集数据和样本，随后将进行详细的化学、物理、微形态和古生态实验室分析。所有受检梯田系统的分析数据应组合并集成到一个时空模型中。在研究的最后一年，研究结果将接受最后评估，为出版做准备，并将通过与专家的讨论在研讨会上向公众展示。

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.