---
title: Stone Face Monoliths of Palau
author: Dr. Scubarob
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10440/stone-face-monoliths-of-palau/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Stone Face Monoliths of Palau

_Authored by [Dr. Scubarob](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/me_2/)_

## Image File

[![Stone Face Monoliths of Palau](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/10440.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/10440.jpg)

## Image Caption

Considering Palau’s Earthwork Era (c. 450 BC to AD 850), the Badrulchau stone monoliths can be dated to c. 161 CE and are part of the thirty-eight monoliths on the islands of Babledaob and Oreor (Koror), twenty-eight of which had human features. According to legends, stone monoliths are pillars that support the house of Bai meetings of the gods. The stones are not carved out of the island, but rather imported to symbolize the power of the ruling elites at that time. Similar artifacts are found in Yap and Tonga with rock samples pointing to Fiji and Samoa as sources.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Bibliography

- [Douglas Osborne. *Archaeology of the Palau Islands.* Bishop Museum Pr, 1966.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0910240582/)
- H. Hijikata. "Report on Consecrated Stone Images and Other Stone Works in Palau, Micronesia." *Japanese Journal of Ethnology*, 20/3-4/1956, pp. 1-54.
- Jo Anne Van Tilburg. "Anthropomorphic stone monoliths on the islands of Oreor and Babeldaob, Republic of Belau (Palau), Micronesia." *Occasional Papers*, 31/1991, pp. 3-62.
- Jolie Liston, Timothy M. Rieth. "Palau's petroglyphs: Archaeology, oral history, and iconography." *The journal of the Polynesian Society*, 119/4/2010, pp. 401-414.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Scubarob, D. (2019, April 12). Stone Face Monoliths of Palau. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10440/stone-face-monoliths-of-palau/>
### Chicago
Scubarob, Dr.. "Stone Face Monoliths of Palau." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 12, 2019. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10440/stone-face-monoliths-of-palau/>.
### MLA
Scubarob, Dr.. "Stone Face Monoliths of Palau." *World History Encyclopedia*, 12 Apr 2019, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10440/stone-face-monoliths-of-palau/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Dr. Scubarob](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/me_2/ "User Page: Dr. Scubarob"), published on 12 April 2019. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.