Site report for the Maitaki Te Moa site, Sector Vai Matá, Rapa Nui

Click anywhere on the satellite photo of Rapa Nui or the inset map to see the classed feature map of Maitaki Te Moa

Maitaki Te Moa is a large valley site in Sector Vai Matá, approximately 1 square kilometer, on the northern coastal slope of Terevaka, a volcano marking the northern coast of Rapa Nui. For the purposes of this survey, it consists of an internally-drained valley with higher ridgelines on the north and south sides, a slow rolling rise to Terevaka caldera (the island’s highest point) on the east, and a steep cliff face on the western margin with the sea below. This site is significant as is contains 2 ceremonial structures or ahu. One is a large ceremonial platform with several statues, oriented parallel to the coast. The other structure lies directly inland from it, situated perpendicular to the coast.

Overall feature density at Maitaki Te Moa is high compared with other northern coast sites, but generally lower than those on the southern coast. Vegetation includes non-native grasses, guava patches, some remnant taro and sugarcane in archaeological agricultural features, and a stand of eucalyptus trees in the rear of the valley. This area was first extensively surveyed by the University of Hawaii Archaeological Field School in July 2001 and is the subject of ongoing archaeological investigations. The maps and feature descriptions included here are the work of field school students conducted in the 2001 field season, under Professor Terry Hunt, director of the Pacific Prehistory Project at the University of Hawaii.

The 2001 field season at Maitaki Te Moa began with a systematic 10 meter transect survey of the geographic boundary of the valley, with features and artifacts flagged for later recording. Following the initial survey we began feature recording with tape and compass mapping, feature descriptions, and three-point position with a total mapping station. Three 1 by 1 meter test units were excavated within the site. Two were placed within features, a house structure and a fire hearth, to recover subsurface artifacts, and one was placed directly in front of the Large Ahu to discover if the platform contained earlier construction sequences and what depositional change has occurred. Artifacts recovered, including bone, shell, and obsidian fragments, were collected and are curated at the Sebastian Englert museum in Hanga Roa. Soil samples, charcoal, and woody plant material were collected for future analysis at the University of Hawaii.