DCP archaeological mission in Bora Bora: the first steps of a historic partnership

In March 2023, at the request of Te Fare Hiro'a nō Vāvau, a team from the Direction de la Culture et du Patrimoine (DCP) of French Polynesia conducted the first organised archaeological and ethnological research on the heritage of Bora Bora. This moment marks the beginning of a founding partnership for the association.

Three days of training and survey

Over three days, members of the association received training on field archaeological practices and the legal procedures for site protection. The DCP team — Coralie Perrin, Vincent Marolleau, Hinanui Cauchois, Frédéric Torrente and Hiro Carue — documented several sites previously unknown to the authorities.

The sites documented during this mission subsequently served as the basis for the emergency listing applications submitted in 2024: Te-pua-ō-Matāri'i, 'Ōfa'i honu, marae Maro-tētini at Pointe Mautau and Tumu iti on motu To'opua iti.

The foundation for all future action

This inaugural partnership laid the groundwork for all subsequent listing processes. It demonstrates the legitimacy of the association's approach: combining the local and community memory of the tupuna (ancestors) with the scientific and legal expertise of the DCP to effectively protect the heritage of Vāvau.