City and cultural centre in Micronesia; date unknown, before colonization.
Nan Madol was a city built into a lagoon. It consisted of some 92 raised platforms, which were surrounded by water at high tide and connected by a network of canals. The platforms carried houses and buildings of religious dedication. The entire city is surrounded by a large sea wall of basalt blocks.
When the city was first planned and built is not clear; estimates vary from early in the 2nd millenium to about 1600. Nan Madol was definitely in use before the colonial conquest, when it was soon abandoned. When it florished it must have had up to 1,000 inhabitants.
The city layout shows a planned structure. The southern part was the residence of the king and aristocracy; its largest house is raised and surrounded by a 5 m high wall. This area also had a garden and a pond for aquaculture. The northern part was reserved for priests and cemeteries.
The ruins of Nan Madol on Pohnpei.
Remains of a similar city were found on the islet of Lelu (Lele) in Kosrae.