The Latte Quarry at As Nieves on Rota, Northern Marianas. Photo: Mark Rabago
The Latte Quarry at As Nieves on Rota is one of 19 new 'National Historic Landmarks' (NHLs) recently designated by the United States Department of the Interior.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said the 19 new NHLs reflects the importance of the sites in sharing America's diverse history.
As its name already suggests, the Latte Quarry at As Nieves is a quarry for latte-structural stone shafts and capstones integral to CHamoru architecture.
Latte structures are key to ancient and modern Chamorro architecture. Latte provided the foundation for ancient Chamorro homes and community spaces. The latte located at the As Nieves quarry remain in-situ, making the site particularly unique.
In its successful nomination as part of the 19 newest NHLs, the Latte Quarry at As Nieves is an exceptional architectural, archeological, and cultural resource in the Mariana Islands.
It has been identified as the location of the largest and most well-defined latte elements (structural stone shafts and capstones) that remain in place in or near their quarry pits.
The site is easily the most recognisable quarry in the Marianas, renowned for the size and condition of its elements.
The Latte Quarry at As Nieves is nationally significant as a National Historic Landmark as it's an outstanding example of latte elements and quarries in the Marianas, exhibiting uniquely massive elements that are the largest recorded to date.
Latte sets are the archetypal archeological remains representing the Latte Period of the Mariana archipelago. A latte set consists of two parallel rows of pillars formed by placing semi-hemispherical capstones on top of upright shafts, ranging in size from six to fourteen pillars (i.e., three to seven pairs) and from less than 50 cm to 5 m in height.
The Latte Quarry at As Nieves on Rota, Northern Marianas. Photo: Mark Rabago
Latte sets likely formed the foundation for a thatched, wood superstructure used for a variety of residential activities or as community men's houses, canoe storage, or shelters for outdoor activities like food preparation.
The Latte Quarry at As Nieves is nationally significant because of its potential to contribute to a better understanding of the archeological and cultural history of the Latte Period of the Mariana Archipelago through the ability to address substantive and methodological questions related to the structure and use of quarries.
Further study may illuminate the Latte Quarry at As Nieves' association with the mytho-historical figure, Chief Taga, as well as with historic place names and cultural identification of traditional places.
The Department of the Interior said the new NHLs are nationally significant properties for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans, African Americans, Asian American Pacific Islanders, and women's history in addition to moments important in development of American technology, landscape design, and art.
"As America's storyteller, it is our privilege at the Department of the Interior, through the National Park Service, to tell our nation's history and honor the many historical chapters and heroic communities that brought us to where we all are today," said Haaland. "These newly designated historic landmarks join a list of the nation's premier historic and cultural places, all of which were nominated through voluntary and locally led stewardship."
An NHL designation is the highest federal recognition of a property's historical, architectural or archeological significance, and a testament to the dedicated stewardship of many private and public property owners who seek this designation. While the National Park Service maintains NHL listings, most are privately owned.
The new NHLs join a select group of over 2,600 nationally significant places that have exceptional value in illustrating the history and culture of the United States. NHL theme studies supported many of these nominations and designations.
"The National Park Service is committed to helping preserve and share a fuller and more inclusive account of our nation's history, a history that is not complete until all stories are represented. These 19 newly designated landmarks help do just that," National Park Service director Chuck Sams said.
"We are proud to recognise these nationally significant places representing the diversity of the American experience and our country's collective heritage."
In addition to the new designations, the NPS has updated documentation for 14 current NHLs and has withdrawn designation of three NHLs because of demolition or destruction. View these changes on the NHL website.
