Te Pito Te Henua, Or Easter IslandU.S. Government Printing Office, 1891 - 106 pàgines |
Altres edicions - Mostra-ho tot
Frases i termes més freqüents
12 feet aanghuru Anakena ancient APAI appearance ariiki kete mahua Atua bad condition basaltic bone Brander built bulrushes canoes carved cave Central section chief clan Collected by Paymaster CRATER OF RANA December Eaha to ran EASTER ISLAND TABLET Extreme length face feathers feet high feet long feet wide fish goddess Haka Hanga Roa Hotu-Matua houses at Orongo inboard side inches Kapu Kapu te karata Kava Ki ai Kiroto king Kiroto Kokore La Pérouse land mahua i uta Mata Metua miles Miro tree Moai National Museum natives nauai obsidian obtained ornamented Oroi Orongo Paymaster W. J. Thomson Pérouse plants Plate Platform Polynesia produced ran ariiki kete Rana Roraka rangi Roggeveen Salmon sculptured rocks slope spear-head stone structure tahi tapairu temples terraces thrown tion tombs Tonga Tongariki toromiro traditions tufa U. S. N. M. Easter Island Vaihu volcanic walls WOODEN
Passatges populars
Pàgina 496 - The work of carving the image into shape and detaching it from the rock of which it was a part, did not consume a great deal of time, but the chief difficulty was in the absence of mechanical contrivances, to launch it safely down the slope of the mountain and, transport it to a distant point. It was lowered to the plain by a system of chocks and wedges, and the rest was a dead drag accomplished by main strength. A roadway was constructed, over which the images were dragged by means of ropes made...
Pàgina 496 - They were never regarded as idols, and were not venerated or worshiped in any manner. The natives had their tutelary genii, gods, and goddesses, but they were represented by small wooden or stone idols, which bore no relation to the images that ornamented the burial platforms. The image-makers were a privileged class, and the profession descended from father to son. Some of the natives still claim a descent from the image-makers, and refer to their ancestors with as much pride as to the royal family....
Pàgina 496 - A roadway was constructed, over which the images were dragged by means of ropes made of indigenous hemp, and sea-weed and grass made excellent lubricants. The platforms were all built with sloping terraces in the rear, and up this incline a temporary road-way was constructed of a suitable height, upon which the statue could be rolled until the base was over its proper resting-place. The earth was then dug away to allow the image to settle down into position, the, ropes being used to steady it in...
Pàgina 466 - ... committed a theft. The women were no less active in these piracies than the men ; for if they were not the actual plunderers, they procured the opportunity for others, by engrossing the attention of the seamen by their caresses and ludicrous gestures. ' In proceeding to the landing-place the boats had to pass a small isolated rock which rose several feet above the water. As many females as could possibly find room crowded upon this eminence, pressing together so closely, that the rock appeared...
Pàgina 457 - Linn, which is common also in the Society Isles, where it is one of the numerous plants made use of to dye yellow; and likewise a mimosa, which is the only shrub that affords the natives sticks for their clubs and pattoopattoos, and wood sufficient to patch up a canoe.
Pàgina 449 - Day appeared; to which the Captain gave his consent. So we plied off till Day, and then stood in again with the Land; which proved to be a small flat Island, without the guard of any Rocks.
Pàgina 496 - Ariiki, named Tro Kaiho, designed the first image, but it is difficult to arrive at an estimation of the period. The journals of the early navigators throw but little light upon the subject. The workshops must have been in operation at the time of Captain Cook's visit, but unfortunately his exploration of the island was not directed towards the crater of Rana Roraka.. Although the images range in size from the colossus of 70 feet down to the pigmy of 3 feet, they are clearly all of the same typo...
Pàgina 517 - ... are engraved. The symbols on each line are alternately reversed; those on the first stand upright, and those on the next line are upside down, and so on by regular alternation. This unique plan makes it necessary for the reader to turn the tablet and change its position at the end of every line; by this means tbe characters will be found to follow in regular procession.
Pàgina 517 - Vinapu to Mateveri with Mr. Salmon, and found, as had been expected, that old Ure Vaeiko had sought the shelter of his own home on this rough night. He was asleep when we entered and took charge of the establishment. When he found escape impossible he became sullen, and refused to look at or touch a tablet. As a compromise it was proposed that he should relate some of the ancient traditions. This was readily acceded to, because the opportunity of relating the legends to an interested audience did...
Pàgina 517 - ... the establishment. When he found escape impossible he became sullen, and refused to look at or touch a tablet. As a compromise it was proposed that he should relate some of the ancient traditions. This was readily acceded to, because the opportunity of relating the legends to an interested audience did not often occur, and the positive pleasure to be derived from such an occasion could not be neglected. During the recital certain stimulants that had been provided for such an emergency were produced,...