Monumental architecture is human made structures that are large modifications to the landscape and can be seen throughout both Melanesia and East Polynesia. Focusing on the Micronesian monumental architecture examples of the earthworks in Palau, Menka in Kosrae and Nan Madol on Pohnpei. These will be compared with the East Polynesian monumental sites of the Hawaiian Heiau, the Moai statues and ahu of Rapa Nui and Tahitian Marae. The reasons that might explain the similarities and differences between these two regions is due to the cultural traditions as a result of a linked ancestry and thereby similar cultural traditions. However, the differences could be due to the environmental landscape of each area and what the people building these monumental
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L. et al., 2006). These large statues are specific to Rapa Nui and examples of this site and frequency are not found on any Micronesian island. Another difference between these two areas is the use of material for implementation of these monuments. In Palau the monumental architecture created was that of earthwork complexes which use the terrain and connects groups of separate structures (Liston, J., 2009). The reason for this difference is likely due to the environment on each of these islands and what the social structure was at the time with voyaging and trading of materials. Although there are temples found in both Micronesia and Hawaii the building and structures within each are very different. In the Hawaiian heiau, the structure is built for large gatherings with a raised platform. In the Menka site, this differs by the presence of terraces and columned stones (Beardsley, F., 2014). A distinct use of the earthwork structure in Palau is the crown area of the complexes being too small for a large gathering, but could hold a small structure or a residence for the higher elites in society (Liston, J., 2009). Alternatively, these crowns at the top of these terrace structures could be used as elite burial grounds indicating their high status within society (Tuggle, H.D. 1998). This is a difference because while the other sites exhibit display of the elite members this is a more obvious symbol of the society
L. et al., 2006). These large statues are specific to Rapa Nui and examples of this site and frequency are not found on any Micronesian island. Another difference between these two areas is the use of material for implementation of these monuments. In Palau the monumental architecture created was that of earthwork complexes which use the terrain and connects groups of separate structures (Liston, J., 2009). The reason for this difference is likely due to the environment on each of these islands and what the social structure was at the time with voyaging and trading of materials. Although there are temples found in both Micronesia and Hawaii the building and structures within each are very different. In the Hawaiian heiau, the structure is built for large gatherings with a raised platform. In the Menka site, this differs by the presence of terraces and columned stones (Beardsley, F., 2014). A distinct use of the earthwork structure in Palau is the crown area of the complexes being too small for a large gathering, but could hold a small structure or a residence for the higher elites in society (Liston, J., 2009). Alternatively, these crowns at the top of these terrace structures could be used as elite burial grounds indicating their high status within society (Tuggle, H.D. 1998). This is a difference because while the other sites exhibit display of the elite members this is a more obvious symbol of the society