His elaborate tomb, which also contained the bodies of various members of his retinue, was discovered by French archaeologist Jose Garanger in the 1960s.

These sacred sites are part of the historical and cultural legacy of Vanuatu, whose tradition was transmitted from generation to generation by word of mouth and which gave rise to the beginning of anthropological research from the 1950s onwards.

Based on the study of local folklore, it was possible to physically locate the three sites related to the legend of Roi Mata, which in 2008 were designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as Domains of Chief Roi Mata.

Thanks to the research of several French archaeologists and anthropologists combined with the accounts of the oral tradition of Vanuatu, it was possible to know and locate the exact sites related to the life and death of Chief Roi Mata.

According to the oral tradition, which would be confirmed by the discoveries of the various sites, Chief Roi Mata played an important role in the unification of the tribes of the island of Efate in the 16th century.

Roi Mata managed to put an end to infighting, sharing power in the island's local governments and fostering good relations among the community through festivities and rituals.

He exercised strong but fair leadership, always trying to build good relations between the different tribes of the islands. According to legend, and probably due to a fraternal power struggle, he died tragically from poisoning.

He was buried on the island of Artok, and along with the other two places related to the life and death of Roi Mata; his residence on the island of Efate and the place of his death in the cave on the island of Lelepa were abandoned for fear that his spirit would not rest.

From that moment on, Roi Mata became a model for social reform and conflict resolution, and is still a respected figure to this day.

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