The Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, received a very special gift yesterday. The gift came in the form of the Book, Samoan Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, Monuments and People.

Written by Professor Helene Martinsson–Wallin, she presented him a copy during a meeting at the Head of State’s residence at Tuaefu, ahead of the book launch tomorrow.

The purpose of the book is to provide a foundation for Samoan students to become the custodians of the historical narrative based on Archaeological research.

According to an email sent by Prof Martinsson, the book focuses on data and discussions on a three-year programme for archaeology at the large and important Pulemelei mound in Savai’i during 2002-2004, some of which has not been published before.

  “Previous efforts from the outside during the 1960s-70s of introducing Archaeology to Samoa that used archaeological methods, historical linguistics and ethno-history to interpret the Samoan past are assessed in regard to the development in Samoa but also in a wider West-Polynesian context,” she said.

“Results and further implications of these investigations that were followed up by an eight-year programme where the author introduced courses in Archaeology at The National University of Samoa are also presented and discussed.

“These efforts served as a foundation to create a Bachelors Programme for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Management.

“Results from our archaeological field schools, collaborations with the Museum of Samoa and interview projects on Cultural Heritage Management, education and legislation are also discussed here.

“They provide a foundation to understand the role of the Historical Cultural Heritage in the past and present Samoa and how to move on to manage and protect this heritage in the future.”

His Highness Tui Atua congratulated Professor Martinsson and thanked her for his copy of the book.