Maktstrukturer och sociala fält i förhistorisk och tidighistorisk tid på Påskön : En studie av symboliskt kapital, fält och habitus

The thesis illustrates the emergence and development of the types of symbolic capital, networks and fields used by the rulers of Easter Island in their exercise of power, and what possible consequences they may have for their habitus. There is no concrete conclusion, but it is possible to see reasonable course of events, where the archaeological finds form the milestones, and it is possible to trace the formation and expansion of a field, created from material assets, inventions, social thoughts and actions. There are signs of variation, or different phases, in the field, over time. The rulers seem to have tried to control the field by, for example, building monuments, such as ahu and statues, or in other words, the authorities of Easter Island managed to create different types of assets. In addition, various organizational forms, sacred places and buildings, taboos and traditions have been used in the form of ceremonies, rituals and sacrifices of various kinds. This symbolic capital has been used by the rulers to steer residents' work and striving in the desired direction, and to create a habitus that everyone feels involved in. This habitus has probably changed when new businesses entered the market