The Pohakua Chill Glass Quarry Complex, U.S. Army Pohakua Training Area, Hawai'I Island

Abstract

An archaeological survey in 1998 revealed a large, previously unknown stone quarry complex in the Saddle Region of Hawai 'i Island, within the boundaries of the U.S. Army Pohakuloa Training Area. This quarry complex is the second largest stone tool quarry complex in Hawai 'i, and it has been designated the Pohakuloa Chill Glass Quarry Complex. The complex consists of over 500 quarry localities of varying sizes located on a relatively young and well-dated pahoehoe flow in the eastern portion of Pohakuloa Training Area. Based on radiocarbon dates, the flow probably erupted about A.D. 1625 and was quarried shortly after that time. Initial studies suggest that the raw material was exploited for expedient flake tools and prepared cores. The quarry supplied more material than was needed for local activities, indicating that material may have been transported to lower elevation sites.