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PULEMELEI MOUND DECLARED AN ENDANGERED SAMOA SITE |
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By Tuifa’asisina Peter Rees |
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Samoa’s Pulemelei Mounds
have astounded anthropologists, archaeologists and scientists alike for
years. This is due to the mystery surrounding its unexplained origins
and the unknown identity of its creators.
The World Monuments Fund (WMF) had declared the mounds as one of 100 of
the world’s most endangered historical sites.
According to their website, “the Pulemelei Mound is a very important
monument…but is being swallowed by the jungle and is difficult to see
when surrounding vegetation has not been recently cleared.
“Its earthen superstructure is especially susceptible to erosion and
weathering, and its stone components are also unstable and subject to
rock falls. A long-term plan for maintenance of the site has been
proposed and listing will hopefully provide greater exposure for this
enigmatic Polynesian monument.”
The list of 100 at-risk sites, issued by the privately financed World
Monuments Fund every two years, is chosen from nominations made by a
broad array of experts in archaeology and the arts. World Monuments
Fund is the foremost private, non-profit organization dedicated to the
preservation of historic art and architecture worldwide.
Located on the Letolo Plantation, a few kilometres inland from Palauli
on the island of Savaii, the pyramid-like Pulemelei Mound is the
largest ancient structure in Polynesia. Some believe the location was
the launch pad by which Polynesians eventually settled the archipelago.
Locals say the mounds were used by the chiefs of old in the ancient
practise of pigeon snaring.
Built on a stone base 65 by 60 metres square, the earthen
superstructure of the mound rises 12 meters high. Smaller mounds and
platforms are found in four directions away from the main structure but
are barely visible due to the overgrown vegetation. Settlements dating
to ca. A.D. 1000–1600 are associated with the site, but the actual date
of its construction is unknown.
The first archaeological excavations were carried out on the site in
the 1970’s after previous excavations in the late 1950’s and 1960’s
were mainly concentrated on Upolu, particularly in Mulifanua, the
location of the famed Lapita site which contains the earliest finds
dating back to c. 850 BC. |
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A close up view of the Pulemelei Mould foundation and platform
wall on the south side declared as one of the 100 of the world’s
most endangered historical site. (Photo - courtesy Kon-Tiki
Museum website)
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The pyramid-like Pulemelei Mound is the largest ancient
structure in Polynesia; a view of the east side of the Pulemelei
Mound and a smaller mound nearby. (Photo - courtesy WMF website) |
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The 2003 excavation was initiated by the late Norwegian Thor
Heyerdahl, the renowned explorer for theorizing that Polynesians
originated from South America.
(Photo courtesy Kon-Tiki Museum website) |
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The most recent excavations were initiated with the help of the late
Norwegian Thor Heyerdahl, the renowned explorer who is famous for
theorizing that Polynesians originated from South America.
After visits to Samoa by Heyerdahl and fellow researchers in 2002,
the landowners, Nelson Ltd, agreed to the field work starting in
2002. The excavations at Pulemelei took place during four weeks in
July/August 2003.
The purpose of the excavations was to investigate the age and
function of the mound and surrounding features.
The first results indicated that the area had been used for at least
1100-1200 years. Scientific research concluded the mound is made up
of natural basalt stones found locally and no worked stones could be
seen.
It became clear that the mound is part of a complex with pavements,
smaller mounds, walk ways and other features like a stone lined
large earth oven (umu).
Before the excavations took place two years ago, a ceremonial
cleansing ritual took place in case human remains were encountered.
Maori elders from New Zealand were flown in to take part in the
ceremony symbolising the significance of the occasion for all
Polynesians, not just Samoans.
Further research on the Pulemelei Mound was disrupted late last year
as a result of current legal action taken by the landowners against
local villagers blockading the land, who object to the excavations. |
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
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