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Summary

Our ancient ancestors built stone foundations called latte, which consisted of a haligi (pillar) and tåsa (capstone). Guma’såhyan (canoe houses), guma’ulitao (house for unmarried men), guma’lao (house for unmarried women) and other residential structures were built to rest on latte.

The image is of the latte found today at the Valley of the Latte in Talo’fo’fo’

valley of the latte guam museum post
Our ancient ancestors built stone foundations called latte, which consisted of a haligi (pillar) and tåsa (capstone). Guma’såhyan (canoe houses), guma’ulitao (house for unmarried men), guma’lao (house for unmarried women) and other residential structures were built to rest on latte.

Latte were usually oriented parallel to the coastline or the cliffline. Shaping, lifting and transporting these large stones commonly made from limestone or basalt, must have. required advanced technology or skillful techniques. Latte structures first appeared in the Mariana Islands, around 900 C.E., before other Pacific cultures were constructing megalithic structures such as Nan Madol in Pohnpei and the moai statues of Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

The latte provided a stable base for wooden flooring, keeping it secure during linao (earthquakes). Latte elevated the guma’ (house) above the damp ground, kept out vermin and provided ventilation and a shaded work or storage space under the structure.

Latte were erected in parallel rows of even sets of six to fourteen, and could be found in almost every island in the Marianas archipelago.

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Chewing on Static

Chewing on Static https://www.guammuseumfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Chewing-on-Static-INSTAGRAM_4K_H265.mov The next exhibit opening October 24, 2026 at the Guam Museum Cafe Gallery. In her first solo show, Julia Birn presents

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