Day 230: Mochong Ancient Latte Village, Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

📌APIA Every Day (230) - The Mochong Ancient Latte Village, located on Rota's northern coast in the Northern Mariana Islands, is a significant archaeological site containing 50 distinct sets of latte stones. These stone structures, dating to circa 1000 BCE, define the village's layout and represent one of the largest concentrations of latte stones in the Marianas. The village's primary feature is its distinctive latte wall structure, which extends over 50 feet and consists of six columns supporting five capstones. Within the village complex, archaeologists have identified a unique house foundation supported by 14 latte columns, departing from the typical patterns found in other Chamoru latte villages.

Archaeological evidence suggests the Mochong village site was continuously inhabited for approximately 3,000 years, with its latte wall area serving as a central gathering place for community activities and Chamoru leaders. The village's architectural layout reflects careful adaptation to its coastal environment, with structures positioned strategically along the rocky shoreline. While information about daily life in the Mochong Ancient Latte Village remains limited, the site's extensive latte stone foundations and associated artifacts provide valuable insights into the prehistoric Chamoru village. The preservation of structural elements through the 1980s led its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

LEARN MORE:

Kuam News: A look inside the second largest latte village in the Marianas

Office of Mayor Aubry Manglona Hocog Municipality of Rota: Mochong Latte Village

Flickr: Dirk HR Spennemann’s Mochong Latte Stone Photo Collection

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