Historical Records and Archaeological Excavations of Two "National" Marae Complexes on Huahine, Society Islands, French Polynesia - A Preliminary Report

Abstract

The present work ha been carried out within the framework of the project 'Local Development and Regional Interaction" which i a joint project between Dr. Yosihiko H. Sinoto of the B. P. Bishop Museum and Dr. Paul Wallin of the Institute for Pacific Archaeology and Cultural History, (Kon-Tiki Museum). The aim of this project is to investigate habitation sites and ceremonial structure at the western end of the village at the base of the Mata'ire'a Hill and on the Mata'ire'a Hill itself. During the last of two field sessions in 2003 we were able to test-excavate the two most important temple on Huahine (according to oral traditions): marae Mata'ire'a Rahi on the ummit of Mata'ire'a Hill and marae Manunu on the islet Ovarei opposite Maeva village.