Leluh archaeological site

Leluh is a major historical and prehistoric archaeological site, including the remains of a city on Lelu Island, a satellite of the larger Kosrae island of the Federated States of Micronesia. The remains are of a civilization that peaked around the 14th and 15th centuries, with elements still visible at the time of European contact in the early 19th century.

The Leluh rulers gradually conquered and thus unified the island of Kosrae. From their capital at Leluh, they ruled the island with a monarchy that archaeologists believe resembles the kingdoms of Tonga or Hawaii. The city itself is built of coral and basalt blocks. It includes residences, royal tombs, and sacred spaces. Housing brought together the king, his family, the high and low aristocracy, and commoners. The materials used to construct the houses depended on the social class, as well as the spatial circumstances of the people: in the center, the King and the aristocracy behind high basalt walls (similar to those in Nan Madol), to the west, lower the aristocracy in modest coral houses, and the rest of the population in simple huts.

At the time of European contact, the population of Kosrae was estimated at 6,000; it dropped to 200 by 1870. Amid the increasing population, the city's materials were recycled for other uses in the 20th century. Leluh is considered the third most beautiful historic site in the Federated States of Micronesia.

Location: Lelu Island