The marae of Taputapuātea (Ra’iatea, Society Islands) in 2016: nature, age and origin of coral erected stones

Research on the Taputapuātea marae in Ra'iatea, Society Islands, reveals that its erected stones are fossilized microatolls—corals (Porites) that thrived during a Holocene sea level 0.80 meters higher than today, dating back 3 to 5 millennia. These findings challenge prior descriptions of the stones as mere 'limestone slabs,' highlighting their biological origin and ancient context. U/Th dating of 38 samples, including microatolls and coral fill blocks, also confirms that the marae's construction occurred between the 17th and 18th centuries. The study suggests that Polynesians likely collected these fossilized remains from the site, leaving others still buried underground.

Salvat, B., Maric, T., Goepfert, T., & Eisenhauer, A. (2019). The marae of Taputapuātea (Ra’iatea, Society Islands) in 2016: nature, age and origin of coral erected stones. Journal de La Société Des Océanistes, 149, 281–300. https://doi.org/10.4000/jso.11070