manuel cohen

Marae Ahu o Mahine, Opunohu, Mo'orea, Society islands, French Polynesia

Triple-stepped altar or ahu of Marae Ahu o Mahine, a stone temple platform, 17th century, in the Opunohu Valley, on the island of Mo'orea, Windward Islands, Society Islands, French Polynesia. The style of the marae is similar to those found on the coast, and is thought to be dedicated to Oro, god of fertility and war. Its name was given later, after Mahine, warrior chief of the Opunohu Valley in the late 18th century. The courtyard contains 2 backrest stones or ofa'i turu'i and 6 standing stones or ofa'i ti'i. This was probably the last marae to be built on this site. Opunohu was once a huge site in the volcanic crater, with only a few structures remaining, which were restored in 1969 Y H Sinoto of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. Picture by Manuel Cohen

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Filename: LC17_POLYNESIA_MC_326.jpg
Image Size: 7087x4324 / 12.3MB; www.manuelcohen.com; 17th century ahu altar archaeological archaeology archeological archeology Archipel de la Societe backrest stones ceremonial collectivite d'outre-mer de la Republique francaise color colour COM courtyard day exterior French Polynesia French territory horizontal Iles de la Societe Iles du Vent image island Mahine marae Marae Ahu o Mahine Mo'orea Moorea morning oaf's turu'i Oceania ofa'i ti'i Opunohu Opunohu Valley Oro outdoors outside overseas collectivity Pacific island Pacific Ocean paepae patu platform Polynesia Polynesian Triangle Polynesie Polynesie Francaise religion religious sacred sacred tree site Society Islands standing stone stone tahua temple Totaiete ma tree triple-stepped Windward Islands Y H Sinoto
Contained in galleries: Polynesia, Oceania

Triple-stepped altar or ahu of Marae Ahu o Mahine, a stone temple platform, 17th century, in the Opunohu Valley, on the island of Mo'orea, Windward Islands, Society Islands, French Polynesia. The style of the marae is similar to those found on the coast, and is thought to be dedicated to Oro, god of fertility and war. Its name was given later, after Mahine, warrior chief of the Opunohu Valley in the late 18th century. The courtyard contains 2 backrest stones or ofa'i turu'i and 6 standing stones or ofa'i ti'i. This was probably the last marae to be built on this site. Opunohu was once a huge site in the volcanic crater, with only a few structures remaining, which were restored in 1969 Y H Sinoto of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. Picture by Manuel Cohen