Marae Mahaiatea

On the coast at Papara, Mahaiatea marae was once a tall pyramid of coral stones, measuring 17 m in height with a base 81 m long by 26,50 m wide. It had 11 terraces, the first at 1,80 m, the others every 1,20 m. The pyramid was filled with all kinds of different stones and at its peak was a fish sculpted out of stone and a bird carved out of wood. At the foot of the marae, a coral path crossed the lagoon so as to facilitate the arival of the Arii (chiefs) in their canoes.

Mahaiatea was...