Nan Madol — Nan Douwas North Islet Ancillary (Pohnpei)
Nan Douwas N Islet
Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE)·Bronze–Iron Age maritime·🇫🇲 Pohnpei, Nan Madol, Nan Douwas, Micronesia
About
About Nan Madol — Nan Douwas North Islet Ancillary (Pohnpei)
Nan Madol — Nan Douwas North Islet Ancillary (Pohnpei) in Pohnpei, Nan Madol, Nan Douwas, Micronesia is a Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE) submerged city attributed to Bronze–Iron Age maritime. Systematic survey and photogrammetry document stratified harbour deposits. The site includes a principal necropolis and ancillary necropolis. Dimensions grid 210 m × 180 m; mole 85 m long × 7 m wide; area 11.2 ha. Excavation ongoing; condition submerged 3–6 m. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Bronze–Iron Age maritime submerged-city with stratified sequence and landscape setting at -2 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction technique
- 02Function and labor organization
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 02Territorial marker
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1500 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Bronze–Iron Age maritime
- Purpose
- Submerged harbour and urban insulae under sea
- Rediscovered
- 1937
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 1500 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1154 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1897
Modern rediscovery and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
6.8400° N · 158.3300° E · -2 m · 4 mapped features
- North Quay MolemoleNorth Quay Mole at Nan Madol — Nan Douwas North Islet Ancillary (Pohnpei) — mole with stratified deposits6.8415° N · 158.3304° E
- Street Grid InsulainsulaStreet Grid Insula at Nan Madol — Nan Douwas North Islet Ancillary (Pohnpei) — insula with stratified deposits6.8380° N · 158.3321° E
- Harbour BasinbasinHarbour Basin at Nan Madol — Nan Douwas North Islet Ancillary (Pohnpei) — basin with stratified deposits6.8424° N · 158.3310° E
- Warehouse TerracewarehouseWarehouse Terrace at Nan Madol — Nan Douwas North Islet Ancillary (Pohnpei) — warehouse with stratified deposits6.8402° N · 158.3280° E
Gallery