.Guam Native Latte Stones

Guam, USA

Agana Int'l

Turmon Bay

Andersen AFB

Inarajan

Nimitz Beach

Latte Stones

Latte Stones
Latte Stones are pillars on which ancient Chamorro houses were constructed as early as 500 A.D. Found nowhere else in the world, Latte Stones have become a signature of Guam and the Marianas Islands. Original Latte Stones were comprised of two pieces, a supporting column (halagi), made from coral limestone, and topped with a capstone (tasa), made from coral heads which were usually carried several miles from the quarry site or reef to the house. Customarily, bones of the ancient Chamorros and their possessions, such as jewelry or canoes were buried below the stones. Latte Stones are respected and are untouched. Human interlopers at Latte sites may encounter Taotaomoa, or ancestral Chamorro spirits. Replicas and images of Latte Stones can also be seen all around the Marianas. The eight Latte Stones shown in FS2002 can be seen in Me'pu in Guam's Southern interior(we put them back in their original location).

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