Pohnpaip Petroglyphs

Pohnpaip Petroglyphs just south of the newly refurbished Sapwalap Elementary School is one of Micronesia's most unusual sites. More than 700 prehistoric motifs are etched into the rocks in the area, the largest collection adorning a 60 x 25-meter high layer of natural terraced basalt known as Pohnpaip (“on the rock”). Although the paintings are fading in the face of Pohnpei's relentless rains, human figures, feet, hands, fish hooks, boats, sun and moon, and many other figures can be distinguished. The form can be canoe oars or a loom.

More petroglyphs are found on a collection of smaller rocks located in the northeastern grasslands. The large rock closest to Pohnpaip is called Takain Pahsu ("vagina rock") and is said to have been the genitals of a mythical woman broken into pieces. The woman's ass was found across the street along with several other rocks with petroglyphs. One is covered with rimmed crosses similar to those found in Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and the Solomon Islands, possibly indicating a connection between the site and the culture. Lapita was active in the area about 2,000 years ago. To date, no one is sure who created the petroglyphs or when they were created. This type of rock art is not common in the Micronesian islands.

Location: Main Rd, Madolenihm, Pohnpei Federated States of Micronesia.