Archaeologists: 2 waves of Chamorro migration

Drilled tiger shark teeth were found with the remains of a pre-latte woman, who died between the ages of 20 and 35. (Photo: Courtesy C.K. Walth)

Archaeologists have reason to believe that ancient Chamorros came from two waves of migration. On Tuesday, archaeologist Judy Amesbury presented findings from the Naton Beach excavation to the Rotary Club of Tumon Bay. The excavation took place nearly a decade ago, but the three-volume report was just released.

At Guam’s Naton Beach site in Tumon Bay, archaeologists found more than 400 burials from the Pre-Latte Period and Latte Period of Guam. More than 150 burials from Naton Beach were from the Pre-Latte Period and marked the largest number of burials from that time, as well as the earliest burials ever seen in the Marianas. According to Amesbury, this was the most significant excavation in the Marianas because of the very large number of early people.

The Pre-Latte Period is from 1,500 B.C. until latte stones were introduced. The Latte Period started around 1,000 A.D. and ended with Spanish contact in the 16th century. [...] guampdn.com / Link 2