Guam’s buried history faces pressures from development
By Ron Rocky Coloma
As development continues across Guam, archaeologists and cultural advocates say the island’s artifacts, ancestral remains and historic sites can reveal thousands of years of history, but only if they are protected, studied and connected with the community.
That concern emerged Friday during the first Guam Community Archaeology Day, where researchers, preservation advocates and community members discussed archaeological work ranging from ancient CHamoru settlements to Spanish and American-era sites.
The Guam Preservation Trust organized the Oct. 2 event as it prepares its next five-year strategic plan.
Andrew Tenorio, interim chief program officer for the trust, said the organization plans to seek community input over the next six to nine months, including concerns about archaeology and how archaeological work on Guam can advance.
For Juanita Simona Cushing, who has spent decades advocating for cultural preservation, the issue is rooted in what she witnessed in Tumon as development disturbed ancestral burial areas.
“It was heartbreaking to see how the land for the living got plowed up, got backhoed up, got bulldozed up,” Cushing said.
Her daughter, Juanita Blaz, recalled helping archaeologists excavate ancestral remains near Matapang when she was in middle school. She described slowly brushing soil from skeletal remains and learning how burial evidence could offer clues about people whose written histories do not survive.
“We believe that the CHamoru culture needs as many advocates as possible,” Blaz said.
Roman Dela Cruz, a longtime researcher and cultural advocate, said his view of archaeologists changed as he worked more closely with artifacts and sought answers about them.
“We should be eager and not standoffish to combine this with science,” Dela Cruz said. “We might be afraid of what we might be hearing, but in the end, it’s the truth.”
ADVERTRISEMENT
Recent archaeological work at the Plaza de España illustrates how much evidence remains beneath heavily used areas of Guam.
A University of Guam field school used ground-penetrating radar to identify possible underground features before excavating several test units. Researchers uncovered historic walkways and flooring, a posthole, possible earth ovens, ceramics, stone tools, animal remains and other materials representing different periods of occupation.
Graduate student Jenna Golnik said one excavation reached an old coastal layer, providing evidence of how Hagåtña’s shoreline changed over time. Another unit uncovered a walkway that researchers believe predates World War II.
The work also produced charcoal samples that researchers plan to submit for radiocarbon dating, which could provide additional information about when portions of the site were occupied.
ADVERTISEMENT
Dr. Kelly Marsh-Taitano said archaeology can go beyond identifying individual artifacts by helping researchers examine the relationships, skills and knowledge surrounding them. She said living cultural traditions can also provide clues for interpreting archaeological evidence, although comparisons must be made carefully.
Archaeological resources also remain on military property, including latte sites, rock shelters, World War II locations and rare pre-Latte sites.
Dr. Hedy Justus, an archaeologist working with military installations on Guam, said some archaeological sites have been preserved alongside environmental conservation areas.
“Some of Guam’s most well-preserved sites are on the military lands,” Justus said.
Several military sites are being considered for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, while others are included in controlled public access tour programs for visitors.
Subscribe to
our digital
monthly issue
