ABSTRACT During World War II, the Japanese military, using either their own or civilian labour, excavated tunnels into the limestone of many Pacific islands and modified natural caves for use as command posts, hospitals, combat positions, storage, and shelter. Civilians also used caves to shelter themselves during the war. This article introduces the archaeology of WWII caves and tunnels referred to collectively as ‘karst defences.’ While karst defences exist across the Pacific, little is known about these sites both historically and archaeologically. Based on a study in Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and analysis of karst defence construction and function, this article demonstrates that karst defence use extends beyond what has been described in historical accounts. The authors find that the sites in Saipan were used by three different groups of people and identifies distinct Japanese military and civilian sites and evidence of post-war use by the United States.

中文翻译：

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太平洋地区二战岩溶防御的考古学

摘要 二战期间，日本军队利用自己或平民的劳动力，在许多太平洋岛屿的石灰岩中挖掘隧道，并改造了天然洞穴，用作指挥所、医院、战斗阵地、储藏室和避难所。在战争期间，平民也使用洞穴来庇护自己。本文介绍了统称为“喀斯特防御工事”的二战洞穴和隧道的考古学。虽然太平洋上存在喀斯特防御，但在历史和考古上对这些遗址知之甚少。基于在北马里亚纳群岛联邦塞班岛的一项研究以及对岩溶防御结构和功能的分析，本文表明岩溶防御的使用范围超出了历史记载中的描述。