Prehistoric Pacific Island kings entombed in truncated coral pyramids

Abstract

[Extract] On the Central Pacific island of Kosrae (5°19'56"N, 163°01'30"E), coral was used extensively in construction of the ancient capital of Leluh (A.D. 1250–1850). Corals were used to build roads, terraces, canals, and compound walls, for cultural and spiritual practices, and most notably, in the burial of royalty (Fig. 1a). Following death, Kosraen kings were anointed with coconut oil, bound in mats, and temporarily buried in truncated pyramids of coral and prismatic basalt (called Saru). After 3 months, the royal bones were exhumed, cleaned, tied together, and secondarily interred in a specific hole on the reef (Morgan 1989).