Nan Madol

Town and ceremonial center built in a shallow tidal lagoon off the shore of Ponape in the Caroline Islands; it is the largest single complex of ancient stonework in Oceania, comprising about 70 hectares with 92 rectilinear basalt and coral platforms. The most famous structure is the burial platform of Nan Douwas, which contains four pit-tombs with prismatic basalt enclosure walls up to 8.5 meters high. The whole complex is traditionally associated with the Sau Deleur rulers of Ponape, and was presumably constructed several centuries ago.

Built in a shallow tidal lagoon off the shore of Ponape, Caroline Islands, Nan Madol is the largest single complex of ancient stonework in Oceania, comprising about 70 hectares of basalt platforms, some of a remarkable crib-like construction using prismatic basalt. The most famous structure is the burial platform of Nan Douwas, which contains four pit-tombs within prismatic basalt enclosure walls up to 8.5 metres high. The whole complex is traditionally associated with the Sau Deleur rulers of Ponape, and was presumably constructed several centuries ago, although no exact date is known.