Research in the Marshall Islands

BACKGROUND

The history of cultural resource management in the Republic of the Marshall Islands falls into four main phases: (1) the German Colonial Administration (1885-1914); (2) the Japanese Administration under the League of Nations Mandate (1914-1945); (3) the U.S. Administration under the United Nations Mandate (1945-1986); and (4) the management by the Republic of the Marshall Islands (1986 - present).

HISTORY OF RESEARCH IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

During the German Colonial Administration (1885-1914), the archaeological profession was still in its infancy - even in Germany itself. Missionaries and ethnographers alike, frequently complained about the decrease in knowledge about traditional customs, but undertook no positive action and concerted efforts to preserve the heritage apart from recording it in various degrees of detail. We are almost uninformed about the period of the Japanese Administration (1914-1945). Several studies were undertaken on ethnography, but--apparently--no archaeology was conducted and the Japanese did not utilize the potential for research given to them. After the end of World War II, the United Nations gave the administration of the Marshall Islands to the U.S. Administration (1945-1986) as a strategic trust. The Marshall Islands formed, together with the Carolines, Truk, Palau and the Northern Marianas (except for Guam) the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (T.T.P.I.).

THE CREATION OF THE OFFICE

Historic Preservation as a formal concept was introduced in 1967, following the establishment of the U.S. National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and was handled by the Historic Preservation Office located at Saipan, the administrative center of the T.T.P.I., while local offices, commonly called Historic Preservation Committees, existed in all districts. Thus, a local Historic Preservation Committee existed in Majuro. U.S. legislation extended to the T.T.P.I. and a great amount of contact work was conducted. In February 1991 the first ever Republic of the Marshall Islands Historic Preservation Act 1991 was passed by the Nitijela in its 11th Constitutional Session. The Act provided the necessary protection for the heritage, set up an office and set out the duties and powers of the office. A series of regulations were drafted pursuant to this act and were proposed for public hearing in October 1991 all of which were approved without alteration by the Republic of the Marshall Islands Cabinet in January 1992: Regulations Regarding The Conduct Of Archaeological And Anthropological Research In The Republic 1992.

ETHICAL RESEARCH

Includes sensitivity to the use/abuse of Marshallese people for the purposes of research

THEREFORE...

Conduct research thoughtfully and respectfully following the laws and precepts for research in the Marshall Islands

1. Get Permission from your sponsoring institution’s IRB OR get a statement from your IRB stating that your research is exempt from an IRB

2. Get proper permission from the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and follow all regulations and permitting

Updated: 04-22-2025