2.1
Where did they come from?
Island Southeast Asia (likely the Philippines).
What does culture mean?
Culture is the way of life of a group of people, including their beliefs, traditions, language, food, and art.
What do you think the ancient people talked about as they sat around their kitchen midden, eating oysters?
They probably talked about fishing, family stories, the weather, village news, and teaching children about traditions.
What was the Latte Period in Marianas history?
The Latte Period (about 800 CE to 1521 CE) was when the ancient Chamorros began building latte stone houses, which marked a new phase of culture and society.
What tools did the ancient Chamorro use to build houses?
They used stone adzes, shell knives, digging sticks, and plant-fiber ropes.
How do we know this?
Archaeology, language, DNA, and canoe technology.
How can we determine what the ancient culture was like?
By studying artifacts, tools, buildings, and other remains left behind.
What did they eat besides oysters?
They ate fish, crabs, taro, yams, breadfruit, coconut, bananas, and sea turtles.
Why was the latte house an improvement over the pile house?
Latte houses were stronger and more durable. The stone pillars lifted the house off the ground, protecting it from floods, pests, and heat.
define Pestles
Tools used for grinding food or materials, usually with a mortar
What language did they speak?
Early Chamorro (Austronesian language).
What are latte stones?
Latte stones are large stone pillars used by ancient Chamorros as foundations for their houses.
What are some endangered species in the Northern Mariana Islands?
Mariana fruit bat (fanihi)
Mariana crow (aga)
Nightingale reed-warbler
Green sea turtle
Serianthes nelsonii (a rare tree)
Who lived in latte houses? Where did everyone else live?
High-ranking families or chiefs lived in latte houses. Commoners lived in simpler homes made of wood and thatch, usually built directly on the ground.
Adzes
Stone or metal tools like axes, used for cutting and shaping wood.
What tools did they use?
Stone and shell tools, pottery, canoes, and latte stones.
Marianas pre-history
This refers to the time period in the Mariana Islands before written records, starting from the arrival of the first settlers (around 1500 BCE) until the arrival of the Spanish in the 1500s.
How long did the ancient Chamorros live?
On average, they lived about 30 to 40 years, though some lived longer. Life was harder due to disease and injuries.
define Latte stone
A latte stone is a two-part stone structure used by ancient Chamorros as building supports. The vertical part is called the haligi, which is a tall stone pillar that holds up the house.
Chisels
Sharp tools used for carving or cutting wood or stone.
define Archaeologists
Archaeologists are scientists who study the past through objects left by ancient people.
Sherds
Sherds are broken pieces of pottery. Archaeologists study sherds to learn about how ancient people cooked, stored food, and lived.
How long did the ancient Chamorros live?
On average, they lived about 30 to 40 years, though some lived longer. Life was harder due to disease and injuries.
define Vertical
means standing straight up and down, like a line going from the ground to the sky.
Awls
Pointed tools used for making holes in wood, leather, or fabric.