Kaali Crater
Fairly recent (7 600 – 4 000 years old), well-preserved meteorite craters. The largest crater has a diameter of 110 m and 22 m depth. It has a lake at its bottom and exposed limestone along its rim. The fall of the meteorite created legends.
Marae Arahurahu
One of the first marae to be restored in 1954. Contains a stone statue.
Marae Fare Opu
Large royal marae, unfortunately, half buried under a road. Some stones contain petroglyphs – depictions of turtles. Made in the 15th – 16th century. Ahu is 25 m long.
Me’ae Iipona
A ceremonial site with the largest prehistoric stone statues (tiki) in French Polynesia, up to 2.6 m high. Restored in 1991.
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (Vaucluse Spring)
Very powerful spring at the foot of 230 m high cliff. Average discharge – 22,000 l/s, at snow melts – 110,000 l/s – thus it is one of the most powerful springs in the world. Dived up to 308 m depth. Source of Sorgue river.
La Hougue Bie
One of the most impressive passage graves with an 18.6 meters long chamber under a 12.2 meters high earthen mound. Developed sometime around 4000 – 3500 BC.
Stonehenge
One of the most popular archaeological monuments in the world, consisting of a group of large standing stones in a circular setting, erected sometime around 2500 BC (?). Located in the middle of a dense complex of archaeological monuments.
Nusa Roviana hillfort and shrines
Impressive settlement complex – 600 m long hillfort with 3 m high, 2 m wide, and 500 m long wall made of stone rubble. Here are located 13 skull shrines filled with skulls of deceased chiefs. A small terraced area in the highest place of the island contains a legendary shrine – Tiola or dog shrine with a stone carving – dog’s head. The fortress was destroyed in 1892.
Arai Te Tonga – the most sacred marae in Rarotonga
The most sacred marae in Rarotonga was developed roughly in 1250 AD. Not much is visible above the soil. Includes also koutu – a meeting ground. It is not allowed to step on a marae – it is still sacred.
Nagarjuni Caves
Some of the oldest rock-cut temples in India from the late 3rd century BC. Polished interiors contain ancient inscriptions.
