Addison, David J.2010-08-042010-08-042008Addison, D. J. 2008. The Changing Role of Irrigated Colocasia esculenta (Taro) on Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands: From an Essential Element of Colonization to an Important Risk-Reduction Strategy. Asian Perspectives 47 (1): 139-55.1535-8283 (E-ISSN)0066-8435 (Print)http://hdl.handle.net/10125/17284This paper proposes that, on the Marquesan island of Nuku Hiva, wet cultivation of Colocasia taro was important in initial colonization because it was the most energy efficient and fastest-producing crop. In later periods its caloric contribution was eclipsed by breadfruit, but irrigated taro played an important risk-reduction role. KEYWORDS: Agriculture, archaeology, intensification, risk-reduction, irrigation, Polynesia.Agriculturearchaeologyintensificationrisk-reductionirrigationPolynesiaPrehistoric peoples--Asia--Periodicals.Prehistoric peoples--Oceania--Periodicals.Asia--Antiquities--Periodicals.Oceania--Antiquities--Periodicals.East Asia--Antiquities--Periodicals.Article