The Channel of the Many Ghosts (Tupapaurau)

The quick setup of this campaign was triggered by the discovery of many shaped stone objects near the Tupapaurau Channel (The Channel of the Many Ghosts) on Moorea Island, by a member of the « Na Too E Va'u No Aimeho Nui » association Its president, M. Gaston Richmond, started the project.

In response to a request made by Mrs. Louise Peltzer, Minister of Culture, Higher Education and Research in French Polynesia, Mr. Robert Veccella, Head of the GRAN branch in Tahiti, agreed to manage a comprehensive excavation campaign on the site.

The significance of the excavation area is due to its dimensions (250 by 50 meters) and to the number of the objects it holds, which has been estimated to several hundreds.
Those objects have been described in situ by the GRAN Team in Polynesia, and are identified as : anchors, plummet sinkers for fishing lines or nets, adzes, pestles, axle shaped stones, and maybe standing stones and seats which were used in marae (Polynesian places of worship). Some other stone types could possibly be found on the site.
The main objective of the underwater works is to understand why the artefacts accumulated in such a way, not mentioning the drawing of a locating chart of the site, the removal and the study of the objects (through photographs, drawings and descriptions), and the initial processing and storage.
Regarding the site formation process, the fact that some of the objects are not connected to fishing trade allows two hypotheses at least :
- the destruction of an occupation site (e.g. housing) by a tsunami or reef collapse,
- an accidental or deliberate dumping, for some still mysterious reason.

Funding is assured by the Ministry of Culture, Higher Education and Research in the French Polynesia, along with the Culture and Heritage Department.

The GRAN Team in Polynesia, which has been strengthened on that occasion by association members from Metropolitan France and local divers, has taken charge of the organization and execution of the excavation project, which represent a considerable amount of work even if it should be carried out without much difficulty.

The authorization decree allowing the excavation was issued by Mrs Minister on February 4, 2003.
The works on the site will take place from 22 February up to and including 6 April.

Resources

The site lies in shallow water near the shore, and does not require heavy material resources.
A 4.2 by 4.2 meter pontoon will be anchored on the site.
The divers movement and security will be provided by two small boats with outboard motors attached.
The diving technical support will be provided by the Scuba Tek scuba-diving club.

The divers will stay near the site in a house belonging to the French Polynesia Territory.

Partners

Ministry of Culture, Higher Education and Research in the French Polynesia




Culture and Heritage Department





Moorea Town Council




Scuba Tek, the scuba-diving club of the Arue - Tahiti Yacht Club
« Na Too Va'u No Aimeho Nui » association

Customs Regional Directorate in French Polynesia




Arafenua Customs Watch Patrol Boat in French Polynesia




Polynesian First Aid Federation
Town Planning Department

Vita Industrie Eurl firm	STAM Technal firm
Plastiserd firm	PACIFIC Plastique firm
DRSM Détection et Recherches Sous-Marines	HERTZ firm

Participants

On location :
Balleton William, professional diver,
Carlotti Jean Pierre, BEES1 MF2 – Architect, Territory Equipment Department,
Dalblade Richard, BEES1 MF2 – Diver medic,
Démier Arnaud, Scuba Tek manager (YCT diving center), BEES1 MF2 – Technical support, diving gear in Tahiti,
Dutasta John, professional diver,
Espinasse André, recreational sport diver, grade III,
Olivier Lechat, recreational sport diver, grade IV,
Guesnon Joë, underwater archaeologist, GRAN member, professional diver, grade II B – Technical management of the excavation works,
Guérout Max, underwater archaeologist, GRAN vice president, professional diver, grade II B,
Lagant Antony, GRAN member,
Le Cointre Pascal, sports teacher, scuba-diving monitor BEES2, MF2 – Diving organization,
Le Meaux Marco, engineer to the DCN,
Li-Tseau Jenny, student, University of the French Polynesia,
Martin Guy, GRAN member, professional diver, grade II B – Underwater photography (still and motion pictures),
Mores Philippe , sport diver, grade III,
Nguyen-Thè Alexis – Architect and graphic designer,
Perrier Marine – Student,
Petitdidier Patrice, physician, scuba-diving monitor MF2,
Vastesaeger Michel - Diver onboard the Customs watching patrol boat in the French Polynesia,
Veccella Robert, underwater archaeologist, Head of the GRAN branch in Polynesia, professional diver, grade II B – Project manager.

In Paris - internet and communication :
Eon Sébastien, GRAN member – Information processing and online log editor.