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Some of the different shapes of
aech
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Aech survey project
The aech survey project began on
11 February 2008 with the implementation of a three day workshop
and training program involving representatives from seven of Yap’s
ten municipalities and staff of YSHPO. This included considerable
discussion on the aims and activities of the project, training in
the use of a handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) instrument
to record the location and shape of the aech—and on the
documentation of the oral histories from the aech owners and
village chiefs through consideration of a series of questions
developed by YSHPO. It also allowed for a schedule to be developed
for the survey to be conducted throughout Yap.
The recording of a number of aech began in February 2008 through
to the end of March 2008, a brief period in December 2008, from
May 9 to June 2, 2009, and from July 6 to August 2, 2009. The
latter periods took advantage of the low tides when more detailed
surveys of a number of aech were possible. This brought to a
climax the field surveys for the project, although YSHPO will
continue to document and monitor the aech and their histories.
During the course of the project it further developed to include
the expertise of Margie Falanruw and Peter Ruechugrad. Margie is a
well-known biologist living in Yap and has had a passion for aech
for many years and she documented the natural history aspects of
the aech—its location and context with the surrounding
environment. Peter Ruechugrad, a well-respected Yapese from Tomil
recorded some of the aech histories and how the aech were built
and used—the customs and traditions associated with the aech.
431 aech recorded
A total of 431 aech were located and documented using a GPS
instrument which enabled them to be plotted onto a map of Yap
using the Arcview Geographical Information System (GIS). Many of
the aech were recorded at high tide using a boat to position the
GPS directly on top of the aech. Some of the aech have substantial
remains while others only have a few rocks left. In other cases,
particularly in sea grass beds, the outline of the aech can be
seen as the rocks have sunk into the sand and caused the seagrass
not to grow.
All of Yap’s 10 Municipalities were included in the survey,
although some villages were missed because contact could not be
made with the chief. The aech name, owner and any histories
associated with the aech were also documented.
The following maps show the
location of some of the 431 aech.
North Map
North Maap
Kanifay
45 aech surveyed
A total of 45 aech were surveyed in detail. YSHPO surveyor William
Pitmag mapped them using the handheld GPS instrument and walking
around the perimeter of the aech collecting GPS points then
downloading them into Arcview. The points were then used as a
guide for a drawing made in Arcview, of which some are included
below. YSHPO staff John Raglmar and Gilbert Fanathin assisted in
this work. This also provided the aech with a reasonably accurate
set of coordinates in a real-world coordinate system. The GPS
instrument used may have an accuracy of 1-2 metres or it could be
10-15 metres, it depends on the satellites on the day. The exact
location of each aech therefore has its limitations but they would
enable the aech to be relocated. Given a set of aech coordinates
could take just a few minutes to collect, any inaccuracies would
be uniform and the shape is therefore considered to be a good
reflection of the aech. Additional drawings, notes and photographs
helped in mapping the more complex aspects of the aech.
Some aech were surveyed using a Differential GPS unit from the Yap
Department of Resources and Development (Division of Land) and
while it certainly provided a more accurate location and the more
detailed aech complexities were provided, the general shape of the
aech was not that different from the GPS instrument used.
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