Excavation data and site construction sequences for ‘Opunohu valley marae in the lower Amehiti district

This article describes test excavations of two marae (temples) in the lower Amehiti sector of the ‘Opunohu Valley, Mo‘orea. Recent projects focused on monumentality and chronology in the ‘Opunohu Valley (Kahn and Kirch 2014, 2015 ; Sharp et al. 2010) have dated sites in the upper reaches of the valley, while those resting in lower valley elevations, where residential settlements and ritual complexes tend to be found most frequently, have been lacking. The 2006 test excavations were designed to recover data rela- ting to marae construction sequences in a Windward locale and to recover wood charcoal for radiometric dating. The results offer important data concerning the only aggregate marae center found in the Amehiti socio-political district, an archaeological complex that has now been destroyed by a modern pineapple plantation. Service de la Culture et du Patrimoine Bilan de la recherche archéologique en Polynésie française 2005-2015. Dossier d’Archeologie polynésienne 6