Yap Rai Stones
MegalithicPacific
Massive limestone discs (rai) used as currency on Yap Island, Federated States of Micronesia. The largest disc is 3.6 m in diameter and weighs 4 tons. Quarried not on Yap but on Palau, 400 km away, and transported by canoe across open ocean. Each stone retains its monetary identity even when transferred or lost — including a stone that fell into the sea but is still owned and traded.
Look Closer — this site carries open questions: stones heavier than the period's tools could lift; geometry beyond period explanation; stones fitted without mortar, almost no gap.
Open in the Atlas map →
Walkthrough videos (2)
Yap Island 1: Money! Money! Money!Ageless Rock
Yap Island 2: Rai Stone + Fei Stone = LimestoneAgeless Rock
Nearby sites
- Palau Megalithic Site451 km
- Latte Stones of Guam836 km
- Rota Quarry (As Nieves)924 km