ture Sufrider Resort and Spa and Beach Club in Chalan Kanoa. Data recovery work on the project was conducted by International Archaeology, LLC, while archaeological monitoring was conducted by Micronesian Archaeological Research Services. HPO is awaiting the final report on the data recovery phase of the project. The report for the monitoring phase is already complete. Work on the project began after human remains were discovered by a construction crew. A monitoring plan was then created, but when monitoring began in November 2016, it quickly became clear there was a significant prehistoric site in the area. The data recovery phase then took place in January and was followed again by monitoring through the end of earthmoving activities. Preliminary reporting shows that a wide variety of prehistoric artifacts, many typical of the Latte Period (A.D. 900-1700), were recovered, including pottery, beads, stone and shell adzes, slingstones, and bone spear points. Human remains from 13 prehistoric burials were also recovered. Osteological analysis is ongoing to determine how many individuals are represented in the remains and to learn more about those individuals. World War II era artifacts such as Japanese rifles and buttons were also recovered. ¡ Teams from the Japan Association for Recovery and Repatriation of War Casualties (JARRWC) returned to Saipan and Tinian in 2017. Working with Swift and Harper Archaeological Resource Consulting (SHARC), the group sought to investigate possible Japanese World War II remains located by local informants and to recover and repatriate those remains if they were shown to be Japanese. On Tinian, SHARC conducted a Phase 1 investigation in June to visit and record the sites of potential Japanese remains. The team visited 17 sites but discovered that the bones at most of the sites had already been collected and placed in bags, possibly by coconut crab hunters. Because of this, the SHARC team recorded where the bones were found, as well as information about the surrounding of the bones and any artifacts nearby, but they then collected the bags that had been made. Those remains were turned over to HPO to hold until a JARRWC team can return to collect them. On Saipan, the SHARC team visited 21 sites that had been previously identified in 2012 by teams from the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare and the Kuentai Bereavement Group. At that time the sites had been visited but not recorded. During two phases in August and November, the SHARC team visited those sites to record them and to collect the remains. JARRWC is now planning another trip to hold a cremation ceremony for the remains, which will then be repatriated to Japan.
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Simonds also holds a degree in Maritime Studies from East Carolina University, where his thesis research focused on the history and archaeology of a naval battle of the American Civil War. Before coming to HPO his experience included work with the UNESCO Secretariat of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, a long-term research project into the history of a shipwreck on the North Carolina coast, and time as a reporter for a weekly newspaper. Since he started work with HPO, Simonds has focused on researching sites for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, helping to organize the HPO library, and producing public outreach documents such as the HPO newsletter. He has enjoyed learning everything he can about the rich and complex history of the CNMI, not only through books but also by spending time visiting heritage sites. Going forward, he hopes to expand the public outreach efforts of HPO to get more people involved in learning about and protecting CNMI heritage. Shizelle Pua started work as HPO Trainee in July 2017. Pua graduated from Marianas High School in 2015 and spent time studying at Northern Marianas College before joining the HPO staff. She has been busy organizing the HPO library and office files and assisting other staff members on a variety of projects when needed. Pua has always loved history, a trait she inherited from her father, and she has enjoyed the chance to dig into the library and some of the many valuable historical works on Pua the shelves. She hopes to continue to help better organize the office so that HPO staff can work more efficiently to protect CNMI heritage. Pua also plans to resume her studies at Northern Marianas College in the spring semester, pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts. She hopes one day to go on for a degree in forensic science.
What is HPO? The CNMI Historic Preservation Office (HPO) was established in 1982 by Public Law 339, also known as the CNMI Historic Preservation Act. HPO receives Historic Preservation Fund grants from the U.S. Department of the Interior, through the National Park Service, to administer Federal programs and maintain the office. HPO is a division of the CNMI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs. The main office is located in a historic Japanese fuel storage building, part of the Aslito/Isley Field National Historic Landmark near Saipan International Airport. Branch Offices are located on Tinian and Rota.
Newsletter of the Division of Historic Preservation
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