Prehistoric Architecture in Micronesia

William N. Morgan

Published by University of Texas Press 1988

Prehistoric Architecture in Micronesia

William N. Morgan

https://doi.org/10.7560/765061

Overview
Contents

About this book

In the many centuries preceding Western contact, a richly diverse and innovative architectural tradition reached maturity in the western Pacific. Prehistoric Architecture in Micronesia, the first modern study of this remarkable work, reveals that there is no such thing as primitive architecture but only primitive means.

This study presents five distinctly different examples of Micronesia's ancient architecture. The sites include the extraordinary stone cities of Leluh and Nan Madol on the islands of Kosrae and Pohnpei, respectively. Other structures include the meeting houses and residences built on hexagonal stone platforms in the Yap Islands, the earth terraces and ornately decorated meeting houses of Palau, and the megalithic columns and capstones of prehistoric houses in the Mariana Islands.

These structures are illustrated by photographs, maps, plans, and other drawings. Many of the basic data come from archaeological investigations of the specific sites. Summaries at the ends of chapters and in the concluding section compare the architectural characteristics of the island groups with each other and with monuments outside Micronesia. One of the most remarkable achievements of any ancient people, the prehistoric architecture of Micronesia is a source of continuing inspiration for persons who search for meaning in the built form of our present-day environment.

Author / Editor information

William Morgan is Architect and Principal of William Morgan Architects of Jacksonville, Florida.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
CONTENTS Publicly Available Download PDF	v
PREFACE Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
METHODOLOGY Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
INTRODUCTION Publicly Available Download PDF	xiii
1. PALAU Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2. THE YAP ISLANDS Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	30
3. POHNPEI Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	58
4. KOSRAE Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	86
5. THE MARIANA ISLANDS Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	116
OBSERVATIONS Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	150
BIBLIOGRAPHY Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	155
INDEX Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	159

Language: English
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Audience: Professional and scholarly;
Pages
- Main content: 182

eBook

Published: December 15, 2014
ISBN: 9780292765054