LATTE STONES On the Northern Mariana Islands of Guam, Rota, Saipan, Tinian, and Pagan, megalithic st

LATTE STONESOn the Northern Mariana Islands of Guam, Rota, Saipan, Tinian, and Pagan, megalithic structures known as latte stones are representative of the Chamorro (those indigenous to the Mariana Islands) culture. Latte stones are composed of a base column (halagi) topped by a semi-circular capstone (tasa). Typically, the halagi were quarried from limestone and the tasa were inverted brain coral heads harvested from reefs. Basalt and sandstone latte stones have also been discovered.These megalithic pillars were used as foundations for houses and other social buildings. These houses had A-frame structures, were constructed of wood, and had thatched roofs. Archeologists suggest that the elevated floors, which were supported by the latte stones, provided shelter from floods, kept the buildings cool, and provided a shaded workspace beneath. Each house consisted of 2 parallel rows of 3 to 10 latte stone pillars. The pillars typically ranged from 4 to 7 feet in height. However, the latte stones at the House of Taga on the island of Tinian are nearly 15 feet tall.It is thought that the number and size of the stone pillars either correlated to social status or were influenced by inter- and intra- village competitiveness. The location of the latte sites may have also been influenced by social structure. Archaeologists have found it common for latte sites located near shorelines to have ancient remains of human bones, jewelry, and canoes buried beneath the parallel stone arrangements. However, such artifacts are not common at inland sites.Although the first Chamorros migrated to the Marianas about 4,000 years ago, it wasn’t until around 845 AD that the latte stones began appearing. Carbon dating shows that the majority of the latte structures were built from 1000-1521 AD. During this period, there were also changes in cultural adaptations, architecture, and food cultivation. These changes were perhaps influenced by a second wave of migrants to the islands. Many of the latte structures were abandoned or destroyed during the Spanish colonization, which began in 1668. Today, the latte stone is a symbol of the ingenuity, resilience, and strength of the Chamorro people. It is an iconic symbol in Guam, and is the central symbol on the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ flag.kayImage:http://bit.ly/1LUnbjESources:http://ns.gov.gu/latte.htmlhttp://www.guam-online.com/history/ -- source link

More pics about