Marquesans made fishhooks in a variety of shapes and sizes designed to catch different types of fish. Ancient Polynesians fashioned fishhooks from the shell of the Black Pearl Oyster. The glimmering pearl shell served as a natural lure. 

Shell is well preserved in the sand of the Hanamiai dune. The dry sand of the dune helps to cushion and preserve even the most delicate objects. Artifacts from Hanamiai allow us to see the different steps in making a fishhook.

The first step in making fishhooks was to cut the pearl shell into small pieces, which were then shaped with coral files. Different sizes and shapes were used depending on the type of fish. 

Because Marquesans usually discarded only broken fishhooks, complete examples are rare.