Talietumu, Tongan fortification in Wallis, France
Talietumu is a fortified settlement in Wallis featuring stone walls made of volcanic basalt, multiple entrances, and elevated pathways. The site centers on a main platform surrounded by various stone structures built to create a defensive position.
Talietumu was built around 1450 during the Tu'i Tonga Empire's expansion across the Pacific. The settlement later fell after a military defeat and ceased to serve as an active fortification afterward.
The central platform served as a Marae, a sacred ceremonial space where rulers performed rituals and held important gatherings. Visitors can see the elevated stone pathways that connected this sacred area to the surrounding settlement.
The archaeological site sits in the countryside southwest of the capital Mata-Utu and is accessible by road. Walking trails and stone pathways allow visitors to move around the ruins without difficulty.
The central platform was restored by French archaeologists using traditional building methods, making the original construction techniques visible to visitors. This work revealed how the site was actually built and used in its active period.
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