Editing Howland Island (section)

===Prehistoric settlement===
Sparse remnants of trails and other surface features indicate a possible early [[Polynesian culture|Polynesian]] presence, including excavations and mounds, stacked rocks, and a footpath made of long, flat stones. In the 1860s, [[James Duncan Hague]] noted discovering the remains of a hut, canoe fragments, a blue bead, and a human skeleton buried in the sand. However, the perishable nature of the wooden materials and the lack of beadwork in Polynesia suggests these materials are historical.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hague |first=James D. |url=http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/35160 |title=On the Phosphatic Guano Islands of the Pacific Ocean. |date=1862 |publisher=The American Journal of Science and Arts, Vol. XXXIV |pages=18–19 |doi=10.5962/bhl.title.35160}}</ref> The presence of the kou tree (''[[Cordia subcordata]]'') and [[Polynesian rat]]s (''Rattus exulans'') on the island is also considered a possible indicator of early Polynesian visits to Howland.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Rauzon|first1=M.J.|last2=Forsell|first2=D.J.|last3=Flint|first3=E.M.|last4=Gove|first4=J.M.|chapter=Howland, Baker and Jarvis Islands 25 Years After Cat Eradication: The Recovery of Seabirds in a Biogeographical Context|pages=345–349|editor-last1=Veitch|editor-first1=C.R.|editor-last2=Clout|editor-first2=M.N.|editor-last3=Towns|editor-first3=D.R.|title=Island Invasives: Eradication and Management: Proceedings of the International Conference on Island Invasives |date=2011 |publisher=IUCN |isbn=978-2-8317-1291-8 |location=Gland, Switzerland |citeseerx=10.1.1.692.5572 |oclc=770307954}}</ref>

However, the only modern archaeological survey of Howland, conducted by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1987, found no evidence of prehistoric settlement or use of the island. Still, sub-surface testing was limited in scope due to time constraints. Additionally, the USACE survey failed to locate the architectural features described by Hague. However, they concede this may be due to the destruction of these features later during the construction of an airstrip.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Shun |first=Kanalei |title=Archaeological Reconnaissance, Site Survey, and Limited Sub-Surface Testing of Baker and Howland Islands Final Report |publisher=US Army Corps of Engineers |year=1987 |location=Honolulu}}</ref> A later conservation plan by the US Fish and Wildlife Service suggests that Howland was likely used as a stopover or meeting point as opposed to being permanently occupied.<ref>{{Cite book |last=U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |title=Howland Island National Wildlife Refuge: Comprehensive Conservation Plan |publisher=U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |year=2008 |location=Honolulu, HI}}</ref>