Question

What materials were used in the construction of Nan Madol in Pohnpei, Micronesia during the Saudeleur Dynasty?

1) Basalt boulders and prismatic columns
2) Wooden logs
3) Carved basalt stones
4) Volcanic plugs

Answer 1

Nan Madol was constructed with basalt boulders and prismatic columns, aligning with oral histories that suggest canals were used for moving materials.

Step-by-step explanation:

The construction of Nan Madol in Pohnpei, Micronesia, during the Saudeleur Dynasty was accomplished using basalt boulders and prismatic columns. The massive basalt structures at Nan Madol were built between 1200 and 1600 CE on artificial islands that had been initially constructed around 900 CE.

The exact engineering methods remain a mystery, but aspects of the oral history of Nan Madol, which have been passed down through generations, align with the archaeological evidence — for example, the presence of canals that would have been used to move the basalt and coral materials into place.