A comparison of ¹⁴C histograms of samples controlled and uncontrolled for sample provenance and composition factors that indicates that differences are sufficiently large to influence the discrimination of alternative hypotheses on the age of the important, early Bellows Dune site in Hawai`i.

The importance of ¹⁴C sample collection in archaeology to control sample provenance and composition factors (Waterbolk, 1971) is widely appreciated in the archaeological community (Taylor, 1987, 105 ff.). In the Pacific, McFadgen et al. (1994) have shown that the probable effects of in-built age are sufficiently great to support "fallacious inferences" about the chronology of New Zealand prehistory. They compared ¹⁴C histograms of 338 marine shell and 425 wood and charcoal samples, and of 101 short-lived and 131 long-lived woods. In both comparisons, the sample type with greatest potential for in-built age yielded a histogram with a relatively long, heavy tail extending back in time and an earlier peak. In Hawai`i, where the shallow time depth of prehistory, between 1,000 (Spriggs and Anderson, 1993) and 2,000 years (Hunt and Holsen, 1991), is comparable to New Zealand, archaeologists have often failed to control sample provenance and composition factors in ¹⁴C sample selection. This paper identifies effects of sample provenance and composition in a suite of ¹⁴C dates from two sites adjacent to the Bellows Dune Site, with implications for tests of hypotheses on the age of this important traditional Hawaiian archaeological site.

The Bellows Dune Site is often cited as an example of an early Hawaiian settlement (Kirch, 1998, 1974, 1985; Shun, 1992b; Miller, 1991). The ¹⁴C chronology of the site is a matter of dispute among prehistorians over the timing of initial Polynesian settlement of the Hawaiian Islands, with arguments for a "long" chronology with settlement prior to A.D. 600 (Kirch, 1974, 1985; Hunt and Holsen, 1991) countered by arguments from the same data for a "short" chronology with settlement around A.D. 900 (Spriggs and Anderson, 1993; Tuggle, 1997). An attempt in 1987 to clarify the site chronology by dating archived wood charcoal samples, partially reported by Spriggs and Anderson (1993), yielded ambiguous results. The site has been mostly destroyed since it was last excavated in 1975 and there is some question whether archaeological contexts from the site's earliest levels are preserved. Given this state of affairs, ¹⁴C dates from archaeological contexts immediately inland of the Bellows Dune site provide potentially important information with which to distinguish between the "long" and "short" chronologies. In particular, contextually secure ¹⁴C dates that yield a calibrated age older than A.D. 600 would counter-indicate the short chronology and provide strong support for the long chronology.

The Bellows Dune Site, designated Site 50-80-15-4852 in the State of Hawaii site numbering system, is located north of the mouth of Puha Stream on the seaward margin of the Waimanalo plain, a series of calcareous sand beach ridges and swales that formed as local sea level fell from a mid-Holocene high stand of about +1.8 m (Fletcher and Jones, 1996) to its present level by about 2,000 years ago (Athens and Ward, 1993; Fletcher and Jones, 1996). Two archaeological sites, designated Sites 50-80-15-4851 and -4853, are located inland of the Bellows Dune site; Site 4853 is immediately adjacent and Site 4851 is on the south side of Puha Stream. Both sites consist of extensive, discontiguous, and somewhat variable subsurface deposits. The basic stratigraphic sequence at both sites can be described as a series of three horizons. The surface Horizon I consists primarily of secondarily deposited sediments including traditional Hawaiian cultural materials, WWII-era construction fill, and recently deposited aeolian sands. The composition, thickness, and appearance of this horizon varies considerably over the sites. Horizon II includes intact traditional Hawaiian land surface and cultural deposits. This horizon is absent in many places, and in others only the lower portion is intact; both situations appear to be the result of sediment removal by heavy equipment. Horizon II lacks internal stratification and generally does not preserve cultural features, which usually can be distinguished only when they cut into Horizon III, the basal Holocene deposit of white calcareous sand.

There are at least three sources of wood with high in-built age at or near Sites 4851 and 4853. The heartwood of old trees growing on the plain might, at one time, have been the most ubiquitous source. There is little information on the longevity of most native taxa, but it can be assumed that many trees live on the order of 100 years. Waterlogged wood is commonly found buried in and near the banks of Puha Stream (Athens, 1988; Rolett, 1992). Two pieces of wood have been dated, yielding ¹⁴C dates of 770ą80 (I-16734) and 450ą70 (Beta-18237). Driftwood from the Pacific Northwest (Strong and Skolmen, 1963) that washes ashore at Waimanalo Beach (Hall, 1839) is a final source. ¹⁴C dates on Pacific Northwest driftwood collected on the south shore of Hawai`i Island (Emory and Sinoto, 1969) indicate the magnitude of in-built age from this source. A piece of Douglas fir (WSU 424) returned a date of 470ą160 and a piece of Western red cedar (WSU 428) returned a date of 1200ą325.

Archaeological investigations at Sites 4851 and 4853 since 1986 have produced a corpus of 44 ¹⁴C dates, nearly all of which are reported in unpublished proprietary or manuscript documents of limited circulation. Before 1997, 22 samples of wood charcoal were dated, most of which derived from the general Horizon II matrix or alluvial deposits along the banks of Puha stream and were not securely associated with a particular cultural event. Samples taken from the Horizon II matrix contain materials of a potentially wide range of ages, not all of which are related directly to human activity. Sample material was identified in only one case (Beta-89698), and the material chosen for dating was not a short-lived taxon. Thus, all of the samples dated before 1997 did not control for the effects of in-built age. Since 1997, 22 samples of identified wood charcoal, securely associated with burning events in small scoop hearths and earth ovens or with infilling of refuse pits, have been dated. The identified and dated charcoals represent twigs, short-lived taxa, and nutshells selected to minimize in-built age.

A comparison of ¹⁴C histograms for the 22 samples selected to control for the effects of sample provenance and composition and the 22 uncontrolled samples (Fig. 1) reveals a pattern similar to the one identified by McFadgen et al. (1994). The ¹⁴C histogram for controlled samples starts at A.D. 1150 and peaks at A.D. 1600. The shape of the ¹⁴C histogram for uncontrolled samples has a long tail that starts at A.D. 160. The histogram peaks about A.D. 1490, 100 years earlier than the histogram for controlled samples.

The long tail on the histogram of uncontrolled samples represents three ¹⁴C dates, the two oldest of which, Beta-25783 and Beta-31518, were collected from the banks of Puha Stream. Their 2

calibrated age ranges of A.D. 350-650 and A.D. 440-960, respectively, are sufficiently old potentially to disconfirm the short chronology. However, neither date is securely associated with a cultural event and both dates possibly incorporate materials with a high in-built age, such as are present today in the banks of the stream. The third ¹⁴C date in the tail, Beta-30891, calibrates to a 2

range of A.D. 770-1170 and would not disconfirm the short chronology.

In conclusion, two suites of ¹⁴C dates from two sites adjacent to the Bellows Dune site show the effects of sample selection factors. These effects, which are likely due to in-built age and to dating materials not directly associated with human activity, are sufficiently large to influence the discrimination of alternative hypotheses on the age of the Bellows Dune site. The suite of controlled ¹⁴C dates contains no evidence for traditional Hawaiian use of sites immediately inland of the Bellows Dune site before A.D. 1150. The short chronology for the Bellows Dune site is not contradicted by the dating evidence from adjacent sites.

Twenty-two samples of identified materials from Sites 50-80-15-4851 and -4853, selected to minimize the effects of in-built age. All samples associated with a traditional Hawaiian cultural event from either the prehistoric or early historic periods.

Sample identified as cf. Sida fallax, 0.09 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature 3, Unit BT-1. Collected and submitted January 1997. Feature 3 was exposed in a backhoe trench, where it was "V" shaped in profile, 2 m wide and 0.9 m deep. Feature fill appeared "banded" (Addison, 1997, 25). Comments: Feature 3 interpreted by the excavator as a "refuse pit" (Addison, 1997, 25). Wood charcoals identified from Feature 3 include 6 native and Polynesian-introduced taxa and Pinus sp., a genus alien to the Hawaiian Islands. Feature 3 was subsequently excavated by Desilets and Dye (1998). This excavation showed the feature to be a depression or trench > 8 m long subsequently filled in. Food remains and combustion related artifacts indicate that cooking was performed in or near the feature. Identification of Pinus sp. was interpreted as evidence that the feature "was in the process of formation during the early historic period" (Desilets and Dye, 1998, 154-155).

Chamaesyce sp., 0.07 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature 6, Unit BT-5. Collected and submitted January 1997. Feature 6 is a "shallow depression with two distinct dark lenses" (Addison, 1997, 29). Comments: Identification of wood charcoals yielded six native and Polynesian-introduced taxa; no historically-introduced or alien taxa were identified. The lensing in this feature is unusual for traditional Hawaiian pit features in the region.

Chenopodium oahuense, 0.19 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Unit TP-1, Layer II. Collected and submitted January 1997. Sample taken from cultural layer near Feature 1, "a pit shaped depression with fill slightly darker" (Addison, 1997, 49) than the layer from which it was cut. Comments: The excavator interpreted Feature 1 as an earth oven based on its size and associated fire-altered rock. Wood charcoal identification yielded six native and Polynesian-introduced taxa; no historically-introduced or alien taxa were identified. The dated sample has a reasonable possibility of association with Feature 1.

Sample identified as cf. Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, 0.65 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature 9, Unit BT-23. Collected and submitted January 1997. Feature 9 is a depression with "heavily charcoal-stained fill" (Addison, 1997, 45). Comments: Identification of wood charcoal yielded three native and Polynesian-introduced taxa; no historically-introduced or alien taxa were identified. Matrix overlying Feature 9 represents a secondary deposit.

Sample identified as cf. Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, 0.26 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature 10, Unit BT-23. Collected and submitted January 1997. Feature 10 is a depression with "heavily charcoal-stained fill" (Addison, 1997, 45). Comments: Identification of wood charcoal yielded four native taxa; no Polynesian or historic introductions were identified. Matrix overlying Feature 10 represents a secondary deposit.

Dodonea viscosa, 0.45 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature 16, BT-13. Collected and submitted January 1997. "Feature 16 is a shallow pit feature with more charcoal than the surrounding sediments" (Addison, 1997, 40). Comments: The dated specimen, a native species, was the only charcoal identified from the feature.

Sida cf. fallax, 0.5 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature 1, Trench 5, Layer IIC/2. Collected 1997 and submitted October 1997. The Feature 1 pit, greater than 55 cm in diameter, was filled with sand stained dark by charcoal and with numerous coarse-grained and vesicular angular to rounded pebbles and gravel, many pieces of which show evidence of alteration by heat (Dye, 1998, 55 ff.). Comments: Feature 1 is inferred to be an earth oven based on its morphology and the nature of the fill. 13 native and Polynesian-introduced taxa were identified in a charcoal assemblage collected from the base of the feature; no historically-introduced taxa were identified. The single wood charcoal sample submitted for ¹⁴C dating was collected from the base of Feature 1 and has a high probability of being associated directly with use of the feature.

Sample identified as cf. Rauvolfia sandwicensis, 0.34 g, Site 50-80-15-4851, Feature 3, Trench 4. Collected 1997 and submitted October 1997. Feature 3 is a shallow pit cut into the basal Holocene sand from the Horizon II cultural layer (Dye, 1998, 48 ff.). Comments: The feature is interpreted as a scoop fire pit. Identification of wood charcoal yielded 5 native and Polynesian-introduced taxa; no historic introductions were identified. The sample submitted for ¹⁴C age determination has a high probability of being associated directly with use of the feature.

Sida cf. fallax, 0.36 g, Site 50-80-15-4851, Feature 2, Trench 4. Collected 1997 and submitted October 1997. Feature 2 is a shallow fire pit cut into the basal Holocene sand (Dye, 1998, 46 ff.). Comments: Feature 2 is interpreted as a fire pit. Identification of wood charcoal yielded 9 native and Polynesian introduced taxa; no historically-introduced or alien taxa were identified. The sample submitted for ¹⁴C age determination has a high probability of direct association with use of the feature.

Sida cf. fallax, 0.31 g, Site 50-80-15-4851, Feature 1, Trench 4, Excavation Unit 3, Layer III/2. Collected 1997 and submitted October 1997. Sample collected from a shallow pit feature sealed stratigraphically by debitage from a lithic reduction event (Dye, 1998, 46). Comments: Identification of wood charcoal yielded 11 native and Polynesian-introduced taxa; no historically-introduced taxa were identified. Sample provides a terminus post quem for the lithic deposition event.

Sida cf. fallax, 0.25 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature 1, Unit IIA2, Layer II. Collected 1998 and submitted July 1998. Bowl-shaped Feature 1 measures roughly 90 cm in diameter and is 20 cm at maximum thickness (Desilets and Dye, 1998, 111 ff.). Feature matrix consists of very dark gray unconsolidated calcareous sand with small amounts of bone and marine invertebrates. Comments: Identification of wood charcoal yielded four native taxa and Pinus sp., a genus alien to the Hawaiian Islands. The sample has a high probability of association with use of the feature.

Sida cf. fallax, 0.09 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature 5, Unit IIIB6, Layer II. Collected 1998 and submitted July 1998. Bowl shaped Feature 5 is circular in plan, measures 40 cm in diameter, and is 12 cm thick at its center (Desilets and Dye, 1998, 161 ff.). It contains small amounts of bone and marine invertebrate as well as some thermally altered rock, coral, and charcoal. Comments: Identification of wood charcoal yielded 8 native and Polynesian-introduced taxa and Pinus sp., a genus alien to the Hawaiian Islands. The dated sample has a high probability of association with use of the feature.

Aleurites molucanna nutshell, Chenopodium oahuense, Sida cf. fallax, and Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, 3.04 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature 9, Unit IIIA8, Layer II. Collected 1998 and submitted July 1998. Feature 9, round in plan and bowl-shaped in cross-section, measures 44 cm in diameter, with a maximum thickness of 21 cm (Desilets and Dye, 1998, 165 ff.). It contains large amounts of coral, charcoal and thermally altered rock, with scant vertebrate and marine invertebrate remains. Comments: A concentration of thermally altered, but intact, basalt cobbles is located immediately north of the feature. These cobbles are likely "oven stones" used in Feature 9, which is interpreted to be an earth oven. Identified wood charcoal includes 12 native and Polynesian-introduced taxa; no historically-introduced or alien taxa were identified. The sample has a high probability of association with use of the feature.

Aleurites molucanna nutshell, 20.63 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature 13, Unit IVA8, Layer II. Collected 1998 and submitted July 1998. Comments: Feature 13 is round in plan, 65 cm diameter, and bowl-shaped in cross-section with a 19 cm maximum thickness (Desilets and Dye, 1998, 133 ff.). Contents include bone, charcoal, marine invertebrate, thermally altered rock, 1 basalt flake, and one bone tool blank. Comments: Feature 13 is interpreted as an open fire used for cooking or otherwise preparing a variety of marine flesh foods and possibly pig. Identified wood charcoal includes 14 native and Polynesian-introduced taxa; no historically-introduced or alien taxa were identified. The sample has a high probability of association with use of the feature.

Aleurites molucanna nutshell, 5.84 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature 15, Unit IVB8, Layer II. Collected 1998 and submitted July 1998. Feature 15 is round in plan with a 50 cm diameter and bowl-shaped with a maximum thickness of 13 cm (Desilets and Dye, 1998, 136 ff.). Materials recovered from Feature 15 include bone, charcoal, coral, unburned Aleurites molucanna nutshell, marine invertebrates, and thermally altered rock. Comments: Wood charcoal identification yielded 11 native and Polynesian-introduced taxa; no historically-introduced or alien taxa were identified. The relatively small amount of cultural material yielded by Feature 15 makes it difficult to infer a function for the feature. The sample has a high probability of association with use of the feature.

Chamaesyce spp., 7.85 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature 16, Unit IVA,B87, Layer II. Collected 1998 and submitted July 1998. Feature 16 is round in plan with an approximate diameter of 65 cm and bowl shaped in cross-section with a maximum thickness of 12 cm (Desilets and Dye, 1998, 138 ff.). Feature 16 matrix is unconsolidated black calcareous sand and includes bone, charcoal, coral, historic debris, marine invertebrate, and thermally altered rock. Comments: The feature is interpreted as a firepit used to cook fish and shellfish. Wood charcoal identification yielded 12 native and Polynesian-introduced taxa; no historically-introduced or alien taxa were identified. The sample has a moderate probability of association with use of the feature, which yielded some evidence of post-depositional disturbance.

Aleurites molucanna nutshell, Chamaesyce spp., Sida cf. fallax, 5.25 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature 17, Unit IVA7, Layer II. Collected 1998 and submitted July 1998. Feature 17, only partially revealed by excavation, appears round in plan with an estimated 70 cm diameter, and is bowl shaped in cross-section with a maximum thickness of 17 cm (Desilets and Dye, 1998, 140 ff.). Matrix is a very dark grayish brown unconsolidated calcareous sand that grades gradually to the underlying basal sand. Material recovered from Feature 17 includes bone, charcoal, coral, a small piece of metal, unburned Aleurites molucanna nutshell, marine invertebrate, thermally altered rock, and one basalt flake. Comments: A small piece of metal is likely to be intrusive to the feature. The feature is interpreted as a small earth oven. Wood charcoal identification yielded 9 native and Polynesian-introduced taxa; no historically-introduced or alien taxa were identified in the assemblage. The sample has a high probability of association with use of the feature.

Aleurites molucanna nutshell, 37.27 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature 18, Unit IVC7, Layer II. Collected 1998 and submitted July 1998. Feature 18 is oblong in plan and measures 45 cm along its major axis and 25 cm along its minor axis (Desilets and Dye, 1998, 142 ff.). The feature is bowl-shaped in cross-section with a 6 cm maximum thickness. Feature 18 contains bone, charcoal, coral, a large amount of unburned Aleurites molucanna nutshell, marine invertebrate, and thermally altered rock. Comments: Wood charcoal identification yielded five native and Polynesian-introduced taxa; no historically-introduced taxa were identified. The sample has a high probability of association with use of the feature.

Aleurites molucanna nutshell, 5.42 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature 19, Unit IVC7, Layer II. Collected 1998 and submitted July 1998. Feature 19 is oblong in plan and trends to the northeast along its 67 cm major axis (Desiletsand Dye, 1998, 144). In cross-section, the feature is bowl-shaped with a maximum thickness of 15 cm. Matrix is a very dark gray unconsolidated calcareous sand with bone, charcoal, coral, marine invertebrate, thermally altered rock, one basalt flake, and a waterworn pebble. Comments: The feature is interpreted as an open firepit. Wood charcoal identification yielded 12 native and Polynesian-introduced taxa; no historically-introduced or alien taxa were identified. The sample has a high probability of association with use of the feature.

Aleurites molucanna nutshell, Chamaesyce spp., Sida cf. fallax, 5.28 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature 20, Unit VA1, Layer II. Collected 1998 and submitted July 1998. Feature 20, partially excavated, is round in plan with some irregularity in its southwest portion and with an estimated diameter of 110 cm (Desilets and Dye, 1998, 122 ff.). In cross-section, Feature 20 is irregularly bowl-shaped with a maximum thickness of 26 cm. Feature matrix consists of dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) loosely consolidated calcareous sand and included large quantities of bone, charcoal, coral, lithic debitage, Aleurites molucanna nutshell, marine invertebrate, thermally altered rock, and traditional artifacts. Comments: Feature 20 is interpreted as a "trash pit associated with . . . cooking" (Desilets and Dye, 1998, 126). The dated sample has a high probability of association with use of the feature.

Aleurites molucanna nutshell, 3.99 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature 24. Collected 1998 and submitted July 1998. Feature 24 was identified in the wall of a utility trench. It is bowl shaped in cross-section with an approximate maximum thickness of 13 cm. Based on the visible profile, the feature has a diameter in excess of 45 cm. Materials recovered from Feature 24 include charcoal, a very small amount of waterworn and unidentified marine invertebrate, and a bit of thermally altered rock. Comments: The feature is interpreted as a fire pit. The identified wood charcoal includes 7 native and Polynesian-introduced taxa; no historically-introduced or alien taxa were identified. The sample has a high probability of association with use of the feature.

Sida cf. fallax, 0.23 g, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature 25. Collected 1998 and submitted July 1998. Feature 25 was identified in the wall of a utility trench. It is bowl-shaped in cross-section with an approximate thickness of 22 cm and diameter in excess of 60 cm. Materials recovered from Feature 25 include thermally altered rock, bone fragments, and charcoal. Comments: The size, shape, and contents of Feature 25 suggest that it functioned as an earth oven. The identified wood charcoal includes 7 native and Polynesian-introduced taxa; no historically-introduced or alien taxa were identified. The sample has a high probability of association with use of the feature.

Twenty-two wood charcoal samples on unidentified materials and/or unassociated with a cultural event. The Layer designations in the descriptions follow the source documents, which reflect local stratigraphic sequences. Samples are stratigraphically associated with Horizon II unless otherwise noted.

Unidentified partially carbonized wood, 114.5 g, Site 50-80-15-4851, Unit ST-20, Layer III, 110-116 cm bs. Collected 1986 and submitted October, 1986. Sample from a log that was deposited on a light gray, very fine sand and covered with very dark gray clay, approximately 15 m from Puha Stream (Athens, 1988, 65,97-98). Comments: The excavator interpreted the sample date as evidence for human use of the region. The sample was not associated with a cultural event and the stratigraphy of Unit ST-20 reflects alluvial deposition along Puha Stream rather than the sequence of horizons described above. Date provides an indication of the potential in-built age of waterlogged wood at Site 4851 (see also I-16688).

Unidentified wood charcoal, 23.5 g, Site 50-80-15-4851, Unit TP-4, Layer III. Collected 1986 and submitted December, 1986. Dispersed charcoal taken from the periphery of a pickleweed marsh adjacent to Puha Stream (Athens, 1988, 58-63,65). Layer III contained preserved wood and cultural material in a waterlogged environment. Comments: The excavator interpreted the sample as associated with natural "infilling of what was formerly a marine embayment or estuary" (Athens, 1988, 62). It was not associated with a cultural feature. Layer III reflects alluvial deposition along Puha Stream rather than the sequence of horizons described above. Note: The dating laboratory assigned Beta-19043 to two samples (see Beta-24362).

Unidentified wood charcoal, 18.8 g, Site 50-80-15-4851, Unit TP-2, Layer IV/2. Collected 1986 and submitted December, 1987. Sample from dispersed charcoal within the cultural layer. Comments: Not associated with a cultural event. Charcoal from the layer (not dated) was identified and included mango, an early 19th century introduction to the Hawaiian Islands. A second sample (Beta-19043B, see Beta-19043A) collected from "a probable hearth feature with abundant charcoal" (Athens, 1988, 54) near the provenience of Beta-24362 was more active than the modern standard (Athens, 1988, 56).

Unidentified wood charcoal, Site 50-80-15-4853. Collected Feb. 22, 1988. Comments: Sample taken from "a probable prehistoric oven" (Streck and Watanabe, 1988, 5) exposed in the bank of Puha Stream. There are few contextual details for this early date.

Unidentified wood charcoal, Site 50-80-15-4853. Collected Feb. 22, 1988. Comments: Sample collected from "a postmold feature" exposed in the bank of Puha Stream (Streck and Watanabe, 1988, 5). Few contextual details.

Bulk sample of Diospyros sp., Metrosideros sp., Aleurites moluccana nutshell, and unidentified wood charcoal, 6.7 g, Site 50-80-15-4851, Feature 3, TP-5, Layer IV. Collected 1988 and submitted July, 1988. Feature 3 described as "a circular basin shaped feature filled with fire-cracked basalt cobbles, charcoal, and midden remains. The feature was 40 cm in diameter and 20 cm deep" (McNeill, 1989, 28). The feature also contained small flakes of volcanic glass. Comments: Identified wood charcoal contains native and Polynesian-introduced taxa; no historically-introduced or alien taxa were identified. Feature 3 is a rare example of a cultural feature preserved within Horizon II.

Unidentified wood charcoal, 12 g, Site 50-80-15-4851, Trench 15 B, Layer III. Collected 1989 and submitted April 1989. Layer III described as "buried A-horizon containing plentiful midden and artifacts" (Hammatt and Shideler, 1989, 32). Comments: Layer III belongs to Horizon II. Sample not associated with a cultural event.

Unidentified wood charcoal, 3 g, Site 50-80-15-4851, Trench 15 B, Layer III. Collected 1989 and submitted April 1989. Layer III described as "buried A-horizon containing plentiful midden and artifacts" (Hammatt and Shideler, 1989, 32). Comments: Sample described as coming from an undisturbed cultural deposit (Horizon II) (Hammatt and Shideler, 1989, 58). Sample not associated with a cultural event.

Unidentified wood charcoal, 8 g, Site 50-80-15-4851, Trench 18B, Layer III. Collected 1989 and submitted April 1989. Layer III described as a "gray sandy loam with well sorted very fine sand and silt containing historic artifacts in upper portion. Contains fire-cracked rocks, basalt flakes, charcoal and midden" (Hammatt and Shideler, 1989, 33). Comments: The excavator interpreted Layer III (Horizon II) as an undisturbed cultural deposit (Hammatt and Shideler, 1989, 58). Sample depth (135-145 cm) is below the reported lower boundary of Layer III (115 cm) (Hammatt and Shideler, 1989, 33), but a profile of Trench 18B (Hammatt and Shideler, 1989, 38) shows a pit feature at the northern end that extends from the base of the cultural layer into the sterile Holocene sand layer to a depth consonant with the sample depth. The apparent pit feature is not described.

Unidentified wood charcoal, 5 g, Site 50-80-15-4851, Trench 18C, Layer III. Collected 1989 and submitted April 1989. Layer III described as a "gray well sorted fine to very fine sand, top 10 cm compacted massive structure. Contains basalt flakes, shell, volcanic glass, charcoal, midden" (Hammatt and Shideler, 1989, 34). Comments: Sample described as coming from an undisturbed cultural deposit (Horizon II) (Hammatt and Shideler, 1989, 58). Sample not associated with a cultural event.

Unidentified wood charcoal, 5 g, Site 50-80-15-4851, Trench 18C, Layer III. Collected 1989 and submitted April 1989. Layer III described as a "gray well sorted fine to very fine sand, top 10 cm compacted massive structure. Contains basalt flakes, shell, volcanic glass, charcoal, midden" (Hammatt and Shideler, 1989, 34). Comments: Sample described as coming from an undisturbed cultural deposit (Hammatt and Shideler, 1989, 58). Sample not associated with a cultural event.

Unidentified wood charcoal, 5 g, Site 50-80-15-4851, Trench 18E, Layer III. Collected 1989 and submitted April 1989. Layer III is described as a white sand (Hammatt and Shideler, 1989, 35). Comments: Layer description appears to be incorrect. Sample described as coming from an undisturbed cultural deposit (Hammatt and Shideler, 1989, 58). Sample not associated with a cultural feature.

Unidentified wood charcoal, Site 50-80-15-4853, NW Quad., Layer VI. Collected 1989. Sample collected from a charcoal concentration exposed in bank of Puha Stream. Comments: Layer VI interpreted by the excavator as a secondary "alluvial river-bank deposit"(Shun, 1993, 5). Sample interpreted as dating cultural activity upstream from collection location. Sample not associated with a cultural event.

Unidentified wood charcoal, Site 50-80-15-4853, Unit TU-1, Layer IV. Collected 1989. Layer IV described as a light yellowish brown very fine sand with traditional Hawaiian cultural material. Comments: Sample "retrieved from a charcoal lens" (Shun, 1993, 47) located just above the water table. Also present in Layer IV were copper wire and small pieces of rubber, which the excavator believed "could easily have fallen in from the upper strata" (Shun, 1993, 34). Sample not securely associated with a cultural event.

Unidentified wood charcoal, Site 50-80-15-4851, Layer III upper. Collected and submitted. Comments: Taken from Tuggle's Bellows synthesis, need to see Shun's report, Dispersed charcoal.

Unidentified wood charcoal, Site 50-80-15-4851, Feature 1A, Layer III base. Collected and submitted . Comments: Taken from Tuggle's Bellows synthesis, need to see Shun's report. Hearth feature.

Unidentified wood charcoal, Site 50-80-15-4851, Unit TU 18, Layer III/3. Collected 1989. Sample collected near a feature interpreted by the excavator as a "probable fire hearth" in a portion of Layer III "with pockets of charcoal concentrations and fire-cracked rocks" (Shun, 1992a, 40). Comments: Although the sample was not securely associated with a cultural event the excavator interpreted it as "material put aside from fire-hearth cleaning" (Shun, 1992a, 46).

Metrosideros sp., 0.53 g, Site 50-80-15-4851, Unit TP-1, Layer IIIc/8. Collected 1995 and submitted January 1996. Collected from general matrix at base of cultural deposit. Comments: Identified wood charcoals from the cultural deposit (not dated) include 12 endemic, indigenous, and Polynesian introduced taxa, none of which are historically-introduced or alien to Hawai`i. The excavator interpreted the date as evidence for "pre-contact Hawaiian habitation" (Erkelens, 1996, 19). The genus Metrosideros contains a wide variety of forms, from low shrubs to trees. Trees in the genus are long-lived. Sample not associated with a cultural event.

Unidentified wood charcoal, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature Hearth, Unit I14, Zone I. Collected 1990. Comments: Sample collected from a feature interpreted as a hearth (Rolett, 1992, Table 1). Few contextual details. D¹⁴C = 33ą10.

Unidentified wood charcoal, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature Imu, Unit I9-H10, Zone I. Collected 1990. Comments: Sample collected from a feature intepreted as an earth oven (Rolett, 1992, Table 1). Few contextual details. D¹⁴C = 29ą14.

Unidentified wood charcoal, Site 50-80-15-4853, Feature Hearth, Unit H8, Zone I. Collected 1990 and submitted. Comments: Sample collected from a feature interpreted as a hearth (Rolett, 1992, Table 1). Few contextual details. D¹⁴C = 28ą10. There appears to be an error in the radiocarbon age reported for this sample. Isotopes give both radiocarbon age and Delta ¹⁴C and the two don't match for this sample. The radiocarbon age given by isotopes is 290.

Unidentified waterlogged wood and charcoal, Site 50-80-15-4853, Unit H9, Zone I. Collected 1990. The "materials analyzed . . . are not from a secure cultural context, and may thus represent natural materials unassociated with the archaeological deposits" (Rolett, 1992, 3). Comments: Date provides an indication of the potential in-built age of waterlogged wood at Site 4853 (see also Beta-18237). D¹⁴C = 91ą9.

The author thanks J.S. Athens, R. Cordy, M. Desilets, P.V. Kirch, B.V. Rolett, D. Shideler, K. Shun, H.D. Tuggle, and A.C. Ziegler for data and helpful comments on early versions of this paper. Recent field research at Bellows Air Force Station has benefitted from the support given by C.S. Streck and K. Shun, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pacific Ocean Division, and by J. Simons, U.S. Navy Pacific Division, Facilities Engineering Command. International Archaeological Research Institute, Inc. graciously supported the research reported here. The author is responsible for any errors.

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