Shell trumpets sounding in the stone city: Paul Hambruch and Nan Madol

A mysterious death linked to spiritual retribution in Nan Madol, the ceremonial center of Pohnpei (Eastern Micronesia), sheds light on the cultural significance of the site. German Governor Viktor Berg’s unauthorized excavation at Pan Kedara, a sacred burial ground, triggered an unexplained event: the nightlong trumpeting of Triton shells from the dug-up area, which coincided with his sudden death. Local Ponapean traditions attribute Berg's demise to spiritual retribution (riahla), reinforcing beliefs in the site's sanctity and the power of its ancestors. This historical account, rooted in colonial-era records, underscores Nan Madol’s role as a living repository of oral histories and ritual practices, challenging modern archaeological approaches by highlighting indigenous perspectives on heritage conservation.

Howes, H. (2022). Shell trumpets sounding in the stone city: Paul Hambruch and Nan Madol. Uncovering Pacific Pasts: Histories of Archaeology in Oceania, 241–256. https://doi.org/10.22459/upp.2021.16