Seriation as a method of chronologically ordering architectural design traits: an example from Hawai'i

Seriation, a relative dating method, can be employed to chronologically order traditional Hawaiian religious sites (known as heiau ) in terms of their masonry architectural traits. This method is applied to 107 heiau identified and recorded on the island of Maui. By first separating the sites into four different geographic zones and then constructing seriations for each zone, the potential temporal orders of the seriations can be compared. Radiocarbon dates from the final construction episodes at a number of sites are available and these correspond with the relative order of heiau for windward and leeward regions of the island. Seriation is a cost effective dating method that is also relatively precise. Finally, we evaluate the seriations of Maui heiau against hypotheses which stipulate design change and the introduction of new religious architecture from central East Polynesia.