More than 40 archeology students from the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) recently visited natural and cultural sites in the village of Samusu, Aleipata.

They were led by the Director of the Centre for Samoan Studies, Ta'iao Dr Matavai Tautunu, who said the increase in the number of students shows the level of interest in the Bachelor of Samoan Studies Program.

"There are a lot of students also majoring in archaeology. We visited the village of Samusu as we had done so in 2017. The archaeologist Gregory Jackmond and I did a survey there that year, " he said.

Ta'iao said that each year, the students undergo a practical visit to sites they study in class. Samusu sites included terraces, star mounds, earth ovens, malae (cultural landscape) and others according to the director. 

According to the academic, the class will be going to Savai'i next weekend.

"The students will be going to Savaii next weekend to visit sites there like the Palauli heritage site, Safune grindstones and so forth," he added.

"Their lecturers give them assignments. Muhammad Sahib is their lecturer and this is the first-year archaeology class."

In an earlier interview with archeologist Dr. Greg Jackmond, he said lidar maps which are found on the Center of Samoan Studies website, are the scans of the landscape of Samoa and enables researchers to indicate where the cultural sites are located. 

Based on previous research work by the Centre for Samoan Studies (C.S.S.), it is believed that Samoa is home to untouched cultural and prehistoric sites with the Centre diligently conducting its research where possible.

Dr. Jackmond, who is attached to the C.S.S. believes the country is home to many prehistoric sites and artefacts, which remained undiscovered until recently.

He said the discovery of these sites and ancient artefacts were made possible through the use of what is called Lidar [light detection and ranging] maps over the last six years.

"We have been able to build a database that can be used by anyone who is interested, not just university students," he said. "We continue to build on it and one of the magic tools is the Lidar maps.”