Site archeologique de Puamau, Archaeological site in Puamau, French Polynesia
The archaeological site at Puamau is a restored ceremonial center on Hiva Oa featuring shaped stone platforms and five large tikis of different heights. The layout spreads across tiered terraces and displays detailed stone carving and rock carvings etched into the surfaces throughout the grounds.
The center dates to the pre-European period and served as an important gathering and religious place for the Marquesans. Specialists restored the deteriorating structures during the 1990s to preserve them for future generations.
The site's name relates to local leadership traditions, and the stone figures document how the Marquesan people honored their leaders through carving. These figures reflected social rank and the skills passed down through generations of craftspeople.
The site is accessible on foot from the village by following marked paths through vegetation. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as the terrain includes hills and uneven ground throughout the area.
The tallest tiki here displays distinctive facial features with large eyes and geometric patterns that set it apart from others in the archipelago. These variations matter because they show how different island groups developed their own artistic styles.
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