History, Phylogeny, and Evolution in Polynesia [and Comments and Reply]

Abstract

In the study of evolution, biological or cultural, a critical element is a methodology for distinguishing homologous from analogous characters. The historical knowledge this requires must be sought in the phylogeny of the modern groups under study and their common ancestors. Applying the methods for determining the phylogenetic relationships among cultural groups defined some years ago by Romney and Vogt to the results of recent archaeological and historical linguistic work, we examine Polynesia as a well-defined case of cultural "radiation" and divergence for which the specific shared ancestral traits can be distinguished from convergent developments in response to common selection pressures. We go on to present a series of hypotheses regarding some major factors underlying divergence and convergence in Polynesia in the hope that others will be stimulated to test them and thereby advance our understanding of this region.