Ayres is also studying the people of Nan Madol. Using a series of sophisticated photographs and computers, he has put together a computerized simulation of how the area might have looked. Ayres said this is the best way to understand something so old. The most common is oral history. But that only goes back a short time.
Archaeology is the only way to reconstruct the past for the prehistoric period.
Ayres also said he is able to use his experience at Nan Madol as a tool in his teaching. They also work on conserving and caring for artifacts in the archaeology laboratory and a lot of students work on the analysis of the artifacts. There is still a lot to be uncovered, and Ayres expects the work to be continued for decades.