Final answer:
Chiefdoms are ranked societies with two social divisions: the ruling elites and commoners, with power concentrated in the hands of the chief. Two examples of these societies are the Polynesian chiefdoms, which included Hawaii and New Zealand, where chiefs managed land, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chiefdoms are ranked societies that typically divide the population into two main social divisions: the ruling elites, including the chief and their close kin, and the commoners, which comprise the majority of the society. These societies are known for the concentration of several forms of power—economic, political, religious, and military—within the leadership held by the chief. Often, these powers are used collectively by the chief to direct the construction of infrastructure such as roads and irrigation systems, organize local defense groups, and conduct rituals to ensure agricultural success and community prosperity.
Examples of chiefdoms include the Polynesian chiefdoms of Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, and the Maori of New Zealand. In these societies, chiefs would control land distribution, manage the cultivation of important crops like taro, and employ communal labor for the construction of societal infrastructure. Their authority was often underpinned by religious belief systems that positioned them as divine figures essential for social welfare and prosperity.