ʻAoa, American Samoa
Village in American Samoa, United States / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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ʻAoa is a village on the north-east coast of Tutuila Island, American Samoa.[1] It is located on the north coast, close to the island's eastern tip, at a narrowing of the island and is connected by road with Amouli on the south coast. ʻAoa is the oldest site on Tutuila to yield ceramics. Located in a large U-shaped valley on the northeast coast of the island, ʻAoa sits on a wide, sandy beach fronted by a large, deep bay. Fresh water is supplied by a steady river which runs through the village.[2] It is located in Vaifanua County.[3]
ʻAoa | |
---|---|
Village | |
Coordinates: 14°15′56″S 170°35′2″W | |
Country | United States |
Territory | American Samoa |
Area | |
• Total | 0.66 sq mi (1.72 km2) |
Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 855 |
• Density | 1,300/sq mi (500/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−11 (Samoa Time Zone) |
ZIP code | 96799 |
Area code | +1 684 |
Over 40 ancient star mounds have been discovered in the bush near ʻAoa. Village chiefs believe these elevated stone platforms were used in the ancient chiefly sport of pigeon-snaring. Archeologists believe they served as military lookouts due to their placement at strategic vantage points, perhaps as a military lookout for enemy canoes. Besides the star mounds, lepita pottery has been discovered in ʻAoa. Some estimates date some of the potshards discovered here to 2000 BCE, while most of the scientific community dates them to 500 BCE. The Department of Tourism operated a camp site here complete with showers and barbecue facilities. The campsite was however closed as of 1994.[4]
It is one of few places in American Samoa with remaining patches of mangrove forest. The largest such forests are found in Nuʻuuli and Leone.
ʻAoa is adjacent to Faʻalefu, a neighboring village which shares ʻAoa Bay.