A look inside the second largest latte village in the Marianas

It’s believed to be the best preserved and second-largest latte village in the Marianas. The Mochong Ancient Latte Village is described as the best preserved and the second-largest latte village in the Marianas. KUAM News visited the site with Antonelli Rosario who works with the Rota Historic Preservation Office.

Antonelli Rosario with the Rota Historic Preservation Office said, "This area right now represents the Mochong Latte wall. The latte wall is a very rare and unique kind of structure that was built and is located next to the shoreline. Latte wall represents a site that has been used for a Chamorro meeting [area] where all village  leaders can come over and have their own meeting in this area."

The village is believed to have been occupied for over 3,000 years.

"In this latte site, most of the latte site we have here is 50 individual latte sets in this village and most of the latte village here has been used for a house foundation. They build their house on the top to avoid getting flooded. Also latte stone has been used to mark a burial site," said Rosario.

Human skeletal remains were found buried around or within the houses. They also found grinding stones, fishing tools, and pottery pieces.

"This location is very important to be maintained because it is a very rare village of latte stones and different designs. So we use it also for public education…they always come over and check the latte stone and they really want to know who those people are and where these Chamorro people come from," he said.

It’s a history people like Rosario help preserve.