Lecture 3: Latte Stones

Question 1

What is the Latte Stone?

Answer 1

2 piece megalithic construct, 3-15 ft. high

Question 2

What are the parts of the Latte Stone?

Answer 2

Tasa = top stone
Haligi = bottom stone

Question 3

What are some materials that the Latte Stones are made up of?

Answer 3

limestone/coral
basalt
sandstone
conglomerate rock

Question 4

How were the Latte Stones aligned?

Answer 4

2 parallel rows of 3 to 7 latte
(6 to 14 total)

Question 5

What site had the largest assembled latte?

Answer 5

Taga site, Tinian which stands at 15 ft tall

Question 6

Where were the Latte Stones?

Answer 6

Prolific in Mariana Islands
–1920s count (Hornbostel): 270 sets on Guam (and 42 in Tinian)

Question 7

When did the Latte period begin and end?

Answer 7

800/1000 AD to 1600s

Question 8

What was discovered at Mochon, Rota?

Answer 8

• radiocarbon sample recovered in 1983 from an early stratum yielded a date of 2920 BP
• Mochon, Rota: 46 pieces, one 14-column structure

Question 9

What was discovered at the “House of Taga”, Tinian?

Answer 9

• 12 latte stones (6 rows), 15 feet high
• Tasa up to 8.9 feet in diameter

Question 10

What is the As Nieves in Luta (Rota)?

Answer 10

Latte stone quarry
Has 1/2 Acre area with 9 haligi and 7 tasa
Has the largest latte stones made

Question 11

What are the cultural and social significance of Latte Stones?

Answer 11

–Foundation for Houses
*Ventilation
*Protection from encroachment
*Protection from flooding
*Resilient structure

Question 12

What are other Significances of Latte Stones?

Answer 12

*Religious significance (About the ancestors)

*Political significance (The amount of latte stones and how large and well built resembles status)

*Scientific/Intellectual significance (How the Chamorros were able to construct this structure)

Question 13

What time periods showcase the examples and history of the “Canon” for Latte Stones?

Answer 13

• Ancient (Latte period)
• Spanish: 1521-1898
• Post-War US: 1950s-1960s
• Contemporary: 1990s-today