Awak, Uh, Pohnpei


    View from the Lagoon, Awak, Uh District,
    Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.
    My archaeological projects on Pohnpei were initiated in 1977 with surveys on the main island in several locations, especially in Awak, Uh District.  These studies have provided basic site location data essential for understanding early settlement patterns, agricultural practice, and social arrangements.  Several hundred sites and over 2000 individual archaeological features, such as house foundations, agricultural terraces, and ritual structures, have been located and studied. Subsequent field studies have concentrated on Wene, Kiti District, and at Nan Madol.
    Plan of Awak area showing relief and reef structure.  Extensive archaeological survey has been conducted in Awak Powe and Kehpin Awak sections in the deep elongated valley at center left.
     
    Stone ruins of a clan-based tomb found in Awak, Uh District, Pohnpei.  Such important monuments of the past are being protected by the people of Awak and the Pohnpei State Historic Preservation Office with the assistance of archaeologists from the University of Oregon.

    References:
    • Ayres, William S.  "Micronesian Prehistory:  Research on Ponape, Eastern Caroline Islands."    Proceedings of the Xth ICAES Post-Plenary Symposium 'Recent Advances in Indo-Pacific Prehistory, Poona, India. 1985, pp. 399-409.
    • Ayres, William S., Alan Haun, and Craig Severance. Subsistence and Settlement on Ponape,  Micronesia.  Micronesian Archaeological Survey Reports No. 4.  (Ponape Archaeological Survey Report 78-2).  Saipan: Historic Preservation Office. 1981. 176 pp.