Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia
Nan Madol is a chain of islands off the southeast coast of Pohnpei, consisting of more than 100 islets with walls made of basalt and coral boulders. The islets contain remains of stone palaces, temples, tombs and residential areas built between 1200 and 1500 AD. The ruins represent the ceremonial centre of the Sodler dynasty, a vibrant period of Pacific Island culture. The sheer size of the buildings, the technical sophistication and the concentration of megalithic structures attest to the complex social and religious practices of the island society of the time. The site is also on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to threats, particularly due to siltation of waterways, which has led to the rampant growth of mangroves and the destruction of existing buildings.