To rediscover,
To celebrate,
To protect Marquesan cultural heritage.
The Cave of Treasure
The English translation of the Museum’s Marquesan name is “The Cave of Treasure.”
Founded by Tehaumate Tetahiotupa (former Mayor of Tahuata) and AFAR President Barry Rolett in 1987. Located in the center of Vaitahu Village, this is the first community-based archaeology museum in the Marquesas.
In the early 1800s Marquesans acquired metal through trading with Americans and Europeans. This display shows the transition from pearl shell to iron and bronze for everyday implements such as fishhooks and coconut graters.
The Museum’s core collection consists of artifacts from excavations at the Hanamiai dune and monumental architecture sites in Vaitahu Valley. Directed by AFAR President Barry Rolett, these excavations involved youth from the local community as well as university students and volunteers from the United States, Canada, and Europe. The Museum is a collaborative effort of the Marquesan community and the archaeologists. Displays feature interpretive labels written in Marquesan (still the everyday language on the island) with translations in English and French.
The exhibits feature artifacts from AFAR excavations
on Tahuata, as well as artifacts donated by members
of the community.
Teiki Barsinas and two other artists carved this massive tiki by hand. It is made of Polynesian tou wood from a trunk nearly five feet in diameter.
The Marquesans of Vaitahu and Hanamiai were at center stage during the early period of culture contact, which began with Captain Cook’s visit in 1774. Our excavations open a window to this tumultuous era, revealing how Marquesans adapted to European contact and colonization.
During the summer 2010 project we will update the exhibits by adding recently discovered artifacts. These include pearl shell and bone fishhooks, a whale tooth ear plug ornament, a shell trumpet, and European contact era trade goods such as glass beads, bronze nails, clay pipes, gun flints, and musket balls.
Fishhooks made of pearl shell are among the most delicate and beautiful artifacts discovered during excavations at the Hanamiai dune.
The Tahuata Museum
Honu, the highest ranking chief of Vaitahu during Captain Cook’s visit. This portrait is by William Hodges, the artist on Cook’s second voyage.
Captain James Cook is credited with the European discovery of the Marquesas. His visit opened the Marquesas to the Western world.