Send Carole back to Nan Madol
Donation protected
Who would guess such a tiny, remote island would be home to Nan Madol, arguably the Pacific’s most impressive archaeological complex? And that on this same island of Pohnpei, would be another site that houses a collection of petroglyphs, the most significant of which are undocumented and unknown to the world? I have dedicated a large portion of my life to understanding their meaning and publicizing their significance. With my book nearly completed, I now need to travel back to Pohnpei to finalize my research and photography.
It is particularly urgent that I return there because, as I will describe below, I am the last known living person who knows the location of this set of mysterious and anachronistic petroglyphs.
Your funding will not only cover my travel to, and month-long living expenses on Pohnpei Island, but it also it will allow me to complete my new book, NAN MADOL REVEALED. Years of my research will reveal and preserve hidden pieces of the island’s history. Additionally, it will create more global awareness of Nan Madol, as well as introduce the rediscovered yet undocumented petroglyphs in its vicinity. Finally, the publication of this book likely will attract more tourists to Pohnpei, an essential boost to its economy.
Your funding my travel to Pohnpei in September 2018 will directly contribute to:
1. the first comprehensive and multi-disciplinary book revealing the mysteries of Nan Madol, now a World Heritage Site
2. the documentation of yet unpublished petroglyphs, archaeologically distinct and culturally ‘out of place’ in terms of their unique, sophisticated motifs
3. the motivation of others, especially Pohnpeians, to continue my research
4. the istimulation of Pohnpei’s tourism by the publicity generated from my upcoming book that covers both topics…and more.
Nan Madol & Me
My lifetime passion for telling Nan Madol’s story began with my first sight of this world-class sacred archaeological complex in 1969 during my Peace Corps service. So impressed, and shocked about its anonymity, I was determined to record the oral histories of traditional elders and to create the first booklet ever on Nan Madol. The proceeds of this booklet were donated in support of environmental preservation.
My self-funded return to Pohnpei Island in the early 1990’s demonstrated my ongoing commitment to Nan Madol when I subsequently created a non-profit for its preservation. Now I continue this dedication as I near completion of my book. Because credibility of my discoveries and theories will be fortified with additional photo documentation and maps, I must return to Pohnpei once again.
Nan Madol, city of canals
Although comparable to Stonehenge, Machu Picchu, and the Pyramids of Giza, the public at large is still largely unfamiliar with this unique and mysterious site, which is the largest known archaeological complex of the Pacific.
Current information is limited to technical archaeological reports, dictated oral histories, brief magazine articles, and a few miscellaneous webpages. Among these are no comprehensive explanations of Nan Madol’s meaning and magic.
Fortunately, there is a growing awareness of Nan Madol’s physical vulnerability, as reported recently by National Geographic.
Although oral histories of Nan Madol are available, there has never been an attempt to interpretthem in a Pacific cultural or global context. Especially intriguing right now are the new discoveries in the Pacific area that are showing much earlier habitation than previously reported. Thus, it is critical that my scope of research be added to this growing and ever-changing body of knowledge to provide the most comprehensive history possible.
Decades of investigation and personal insights have allowed me to conclude whythis ancient civilization chose this particular site on which to build Nan Madol. It is my desire for this book to raise questions and inspire Pohnpeians to delve deeper into not only Nan Madol, but also their island’s many other mysteries, thus preserving their culture.
Pohnpei’s astounding petroglyphs
So what about that inexplicable rock art that I once saw? When I was in Pohnpei in 1992, I stumbled across a megalithic site exposed by drought and fires. Later I asked a Pohnpeian historian and a Canadian archaeologist to accompany me to this site. Both men have since passed away. The location of these petroglyphs was and still remains undocumented. Therefore, it is critical that these never before publicized petroglyphs be thoroughly documented at the megalithic site they inhabit before they slip into oblivion, permanently forgotten amidst the camouflage of jungle.
My fine art degree and professional experience with symbols, as well as decades living within Pacific cultures, allow me to compare and see relationships with similar motifs in Oceania and beyond. Such sophisticated and intricate petroglyphs, many of which do not conform to others of the Pacific Island region, more closely match motifs found in the Pacific Rim, Asia and the Americas. Their meaning and relationships must be understood if we are to truly understand the ancient culture of this area of the world.
With your help, when I return to Pohnpei, I will measure and record the entiretyof the glyphs and configuration of the site’s megalithsto confirm my theories. To do so, requires minimally, surveying and identification of GPS coordinates and, ideally, but more fiscally challenging, verification by LIDAR, infrared and other remote sensing technologies. With new photographs and maps for my book, these formations with their rock art will be shared, and their presence preserved.
Pohnpei tourism economy
After decades of promoting its desirability as a destination, Pohnpei tourism is still in its infancy, compared to its potential. Sacred site and archaeological travel has blossomed in the last decade or two, but can only develop for Pohnpei and Nan Madol if there is sufficient information available to motivate this specialty travel market. My book will contain new and intriguing findings on the island’s sites to attract more visitors to Pohnpei.
My passion, my mission
Although past trips and residencies volunteering on Pohnpei have been self-funded, I am now retired, living in Ecuador, and no longer in a position to cover such significant expenses. With assistance, I can fulfill what I have always recognized as my life’s work and sacred obligation -- telling the story of Nan Madol and sharing it with the world. With your help, we will do exactly that.
It is with gratitude and humility that I accept and thank you for your contribution.
It is particularly urgent that I return there because, as I will describe below, I am the last known living person who knows the location of this set of mysterious and anachronistic petroglyphs.
Your funding will not only cover my travel to, and month-long living expenses on Pohnpei Island, but it also it will allow me to complete my new book, NAN MADOL REVEALED. Years of my research will reveal and preserve hidden pieces of the island’s history. Additionally, it will create more global awareness of Nan Madol, as well as introduce the rediscovered yet undocumented petroglyphs in its vicinity. Finally, the publication of this book likely will attract more tourists to Pohnpei, an essential boost to its economy.
Your funding my travel to Pohnpei in September 2018 will directly contribute to:
1. the first comprehensive and multi-disciplinary book revealing the mysteries of Nan Madol, now a World Heritage Site
2. the documentation of yet unpublished petroglyphs, archaeologically distinct and culturally ‘out of place’ in terms of their unique, sophisticated motifs
3. the motivation of others, especially Pohnpeians, to continue my research
4. the istimulation of Pohnpei’s tourism by the publicity generated from my upcoming book that covers both topics…and more.
Nan Madol & Me
My lifetime passion for telling Nan Madol’s story began with my first sight of this world-class sacred archaeological complex in 1969 during my Peace Corps service. So impressed, and shocked about its anonymity, I was determined to record the oral histories of traditional elders and to create the first booklet ever on Nan Madol. The proceeds of this booklet were donated in support of environmental preservation.
My self-funded return to Pohnpei Island in the early 1990’s demonstrated my ongoing commitment to Nan Madol when I subsequently created a non-profit for its preservation. Now I continue this dedication as I near completion of my book. Because credibility of my discoveries and theories will be fortified with additional photo documentation and maps, I must return to Pohnpei once again.
Nan Madol, city of canals
Although comparable to Stonehenge, Machu Picchu, and the Pyramids of Giza, the public at large is still largely unfamiliar with this unique and mysterious site, which is the largest known archaeological complex of the Pacific.
Current information is limited to technical archaeological reports, dictated oral histories, brief magazine articles, and a few miscellaneous webpages. Among these are no comprehensive explanations of Nan Madol’s meaning and magic.
Fortunately, there is a growing awareness of Nan Madol’s physical vulnerability, as reported recently by National Geographic.
Although oral histories of Nan Madol are available, there has never been an attempt to interpretthem in a Pacific cultural or global context. Especially intriguing right now are the new discoveries in the Pacific area that are showing much earlier habitation than previously reported. Thus, it is critical that my scope of research be added to this growing and ever-changing body of knowledge to provide the most comprehensive history possible.
Decades of investigation and personal insights have allowed me to conclude whythis ancient civilization chose this particular site on which to build Nan Madol. It is my desire for this book to raise questions and inspire Pohnpeians to delve deeper into not only Nan Madol, but also their island’s many other mysteries, thus preserving their culture.
Pohnpei’s astounding petroglyphs
So what about that inexplicable rock art that I once saw? When I was in Pohnpei in 1992, I stumbled across a megalithic site exposed by drought and fires. Later I asked a Pohnpeian historian and a Canadian archaeologist to accompany me to this site. Both men have since passed away. The location of these petroglyphs was and still remains undocumented. Therefore, it is critical that these never before publicized petroglyphs be thoroughly documented at the megalithic site they inhabit before they slip into oblivion, permanently forgotten amidst the camouflage of jungle.
My fine art degree and professional experience with symbols, as well as decades living within Pacific cultures, allow me to compare and see relationships with similar motifs in Oceania and beyond. Such sophisticated and intricate petroglyphs, many of which do not conform to others of the Pacific Island region, more closely match motifs found in the Pacific Rim, Asia and the Americas. Their meaning and relationships must be understood if we are to truly understand the ancient culture of this area of the world.
With your help, when I return to Pohnpei, I will measure and record the entiretyof the glyphs and configuration of the site’s megalithsto confirm my theories. To do so, requires minimally, surveying and identification of GPS coordinates and, ideally, but more fiscally challenging, verification by LIDAR, infrared and other remote sensing technologies. With new photographs and maps for my book, these formations with their rock art will be shared, and their presence preserved.
Pohnpei tourism economy
After decades of promoting its desirability as a destination, Pohnpei tourism is still in its infancy, compared to its potential. Sacred site and archaeological travel has blossomed in the last decade or two, but can only develop for Pohnpei and Nan Madol if there is sufficient information available to motivate this specialty travel market. My book will contain new and intriguing findings on the island’s sites to attract more visitors to Pohnpei.
My passion, my mission
Although past trips and residencies volunteering on Pohnpei have been self-funded, I am now retired, living in Ecuador, and no longer in a position to cover such significant expenses. With assistance, I can fulfill what I have always recognized as my life’s work and sacred obligation -- telling the story of Nan Madol and sharing it with the world. With your help, we will do exactly that.
It is with gratitude and humility that I accept and thank you for your contribution.
Organizer
Carole Nervig
Organizer
Port Townsend, WA