Issues in the management of Archaeological heritage in Samoa

Abstract

Sāmoa was the first nation in the Pacific to gain independence yet it does not have in place legislation to protect its archaeological and historic heritage. This paper examines issues of custom, history, law and land tenure in Sāmoa that may have impeded the formulation of policies. It reviews the way in which these issues have been accommodated in the policy, legislation and implementation of archaeological heritage protection in several of Sāmoa’s Pacific neighbours. It suggests that there may be some useful lessons in these examples for planning future heritage policy and legislation for Sāmoa.