The Taa'Oa Valley was once one of the largest in size and population on the island of Hiva Oa in the Marquesas. The large ceremonial Upeke complex contains a distinctive tohua (communal platform) that is 170 ft /52 m long. Neighboring tuu (platform of sacrifice), features red volcanic tuff slabs. On the highest of the terraces in the northern part of the complex, we can find remains of the tiki. The stone block has only one side carved. Platforms surrounding tiki would have been the meae where human sacrifices were practiced. Unlike tohua accessible to all members of the community, the meae was tapu, or sacred and inaccessible area (taboo), where only a person performing the ritual was allowed. The rectangular pakeho in the proximity is probably a pit related to the sacrifices.
