Built by hand, buried by time: Reawakening Pacific monuments through technology
Description
For years, gigantic stone monuments have been hidden underneath forest overgrowth in villages across Samoa. Built by the hands of our ancestors, without tools or machines.
Some believe these particular stone mounds were used as a portal to the spirit world, but their original use is still mystifying. Now, modern technology is helping to uncover these ancient structures dotted across the region.
"This is a reawakening of an aspect of culture that has been dormant," says Samoan heritage artist Galumalemana Steven Percival, who's been working to preserve the Potini Tia Seulupe — a stone mound found in the Samoan village of Sa'anapu on the south coastal region of Upolu in Samoa.
And anthropologist Meked Besebes shares how LiDAR drone technology is helping her nation map out, preserve and protect the sacred earthworks of Palau.
Culture Compass was produced by Deadset Studios for ABC Radio Australia.
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