Overview:
Palau High School students are getting hands-on experience in archaeology while uncovering ancient treasures at the Ngerkelalk Terraces in Aimeliik. From pottery fragments to soil layers, their discoveries are shedding new light on Palau’s prehistoric communities. Read on to learn how this field school is preserving the islands’ cultural heritage.
December 11, 2025 | Aimeliik, Palau – Palau Registrar McMichael Mutok Jr. and Historic Preservation Specialist Deureng Camacho of the Bureau of Cultural and Historical Preservation (BCHP) visited the Ngerkelalk Terraces in Aimeliik State to observe students from Palau High School’s Archaeology Field School conducting excavations.
The field school, led by Dr. Annette Kuhlem and Dr. Yan Cai, began on December 4, 2025, giving students a rare opportunity to participate directly in archaeological research at one of Palau’s significant prehistoric terrace complexes.
During the site visit, students shared discoveries including ancient pottery sherds, known locally as chesulch, which offer important insights into past habitation, daily life, and material culture. The excavations focus on two units within a large prehistoric terrace area, providing valuable information on soil layers, artifact distribution, and long-term site usage.
“The students are learning hands-on excavation techniques, artifact identification, and the importance of preserving cultural heritage,” said Dr. Kuhlem.
The Ngerkelalk Terraces form part of a vast ancient landscape that reflects the ingenuity, engineering, and cultural practices of Palau’s earliest communities. The field school is supported by funding from the German Archaeological Institute, with backing from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism and Development.
BCHP and the Ministry of HRCTD expressed their commitment to ongoing collaboration with Palau High School, educators, and international partners to strengthen archaeological education and ensure the preservation of Palau’s rich cultural heritage. (Source: MHRCTD)
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