Latte Stones

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Latte Stones of Tinian depicted in an early engraving.

Latte Stones, or simply latte (pronounced lat-tee), are large pillars found on the Mariana Islands built by the ancient Chamorro people. They consist of a tall trapezoidal base (haligi) with a hemispherical stone cap (tasa) at the top with the flat side facing up. Standing in parallel rows of two to eight stones, they supported important structures in villages.

Chamorro dwellings were typically A-frame structures built of wood poles (often bamboo) with thatched roofs (of coconut or nipa leaves). These stuctures supported by latte stones would have provided a sheltered work area between the stones. Also, the structures may have offered more protection from typhoons and earthquakes than typical dwellings elevated by wood poles.

Latte stones varied greatly in size. The smallest were several feet tall. The largest latte still standing is 16 feet (5m) tall, located in Tinian. In Rota, quarried latte would have stood 25 feet (8m) high if erected. The largest shaft found here weighs 34 tons while the largest cap weighs 22 tons.

The first latte were probably constructed during the 9th century AD. When the Mariana Islands were discovered by Europeans in the 16th century, latte were no longer being made. Latte are found on the islands of Guam, Rota, Saipan, Pagan, and Tinian. Periods of the history of Guam before European contact is often divided into the Latte and Pre-Latte periods.

See also

• Guam
• Tinian
• History of Guam
• Nan Madol
• Yap
• Easter Island
• Hagåtña

External links and references

• [Latte Stones of Guam]
• [Latte Park]
• Carter, Lee D; Carter, Rosa Roberto; Wuerch, William L (1997). Guam History: Perspectives Volume One: MARC. ISBN 1-878453-28-9

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