Small islands are often regarded in archaeology as remote, marginal, and difficult to investigate. Yet these locations frequently emerge as important hotspots for prehistoric settlement and human activity. The newly published volume Coastal Archaeology in Small Islands: Prehistoric Lifeways, Research Perceptions, Biases, Methods and Approaches brings together researchers from around the world to explore their significance. The book is edited by Maaike de Waal, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Archaeology.
Unsuitable for settlement?
The idea for the volume grew out of decades of fieldwork on small islands. Throughout her research, De Waal encountered the same recurring questions. 'Small islands are often viewed by archaeologists as unsuitable places for settlement,' she explains. 'They are remote and can be logistically challenging to access. As a result, many of these locations remain understudied, even though they are archaeologically fascinating.'
The book offers a global perspective on island archaeology. Alongside contributions from the Caribbean, it includes case studies from regions such as Scotland, Sweden, Croatia, and Fiji. The project originated from a session at a conference of the European Association of Archaeologists (EAA), organised by De Waal and colleagues from the University of the Highlands and Islands in Scotland.
'The session generated so many presentations, conversations, and discussions that we decided to bring these insights together in a book,' says De Waal. 'We wanted to show that researchers working in very different parts of the world often face similar challenges.'
Heritage under threat
A key theme of the volume is the vulnerability of archaeological heritage on small islands. The impacts of coastal erosion and sea-level rise are often more severe than on larger islands or mainland coasts. 'In some places, you can literally watch archaeological sites being washed away before your eyes,' says De Waal. 'It is a confronting reality. At the same time, there is often limited legislation or protection for these sites. That makes it essential to document and monitor them as effectively as possible.'
According to De Waal, small islands are also valuable because they encourage researchers to challenge their own assumptions. 'Many researchers initially focus on what is missing from a remote island. The longer you work there, the more you begin to see what is actually present. That can completely change how you understand a landscape.'
Enchanted islands and forgotten stories
The volume includes a wide range of case studies. One chapter focuses on the Swedish island of Blå Jungfrun, also known as Blue Maiden. This small island has been visited since the Mesolithic period for the exploitation of stone resources and marine products, and continues to play an important role in local folklore and traditions.
'People sometimes take stones from the island home with them and later feel they have brought bad luck upon themselves,' De Waal explains. 'As a result, stones are still regularly returned, accompanied by requests for them to be placed back on the island. It demonstrates how meaningful these small islands can be, both culturally and historically.'
A starting point for future research
With this volume, the authors aim to move small islands out of their marginal position within archaeology. At the same time, the book highlights how many important research questions remain unanswered. Areas such as community engagement, underwater archaeology, and the development of new methods for detecting early traces of settlement require further attention.
'For me, this topic certainly does not end with this book,' says De Waal. 'I hope it inspires other researchers to continue building on these themes. I will be doing the same, including through the session Small Islands and Community Archaeology: Marginality, Visibility, Preservation Threats & Community Engagement, which I will organise together with Laura Harrison (ARCHEO Consulting) during the annual EAA meeting in Leiden in 2027.'
Coastal Archaeology in Small Islands: Prehistoric Lifeways, Research Perceptions, Biases, Methods and Approaches has been published by Sidestone Press.
