Contact

and Isola,on in Rapanui Rock Art:

Novel Polynesian-sailed canoe petroglyphs for Rapa Nui

ALEXANDRA EDWARDS, THE RAPANUI PLANETARIUM

TÍTULO: “Contacto y Aislamiento en el Arte Rupestre Rapanui: Dos novedosos petroglifos de canoas de navegación
tradicional de mástil singular para Rapa Nui”
Contact and Isola,on in Rapanui Rock Art:
Novel Polynesian-sailed canoe petroglyphs for Rapa Nui

ALEXANDRA EDWARDS, THE RAPANUI PLANETARIUM

I Previous Studies
II Methodology
III Survey
IV Discussion
V Conclusions
VI Sources
 I Previous Studies

SELECTED SCHOLARS
• Katherine Routledge (1914-1915)
• Henri Lavachery (1934-1935)
• Thor Heyerdahl and Edwin Ferdon (1955 to 1961)
• William Mulloy (1961,1968,1970, 1973, 1975)
• William “Bill” Ayeres (1973, 1975)
• Patrick “Pat” McCoy (1973 to present)
• Georgia Lee (1986) and Paul Horley
• Jo Anne Van Tilburg (1981 to present)
• José Miguel Ramírez (1990s to present)

Petroglyphs registered by E. Edwards

I Previous Studies
Katherine Routledge (1914-1915)
I Previous Studies
Katherine Routledge (1914-1915)

• Kapiera Maherenga
• Parlemón Te Haha
• Juan Tepano Rano a Veriamo

Juan Tepano Rano a Veriamo

I Previous Studies
Henri Lavachery (1934-1935)
 Thor Heyerdahl

I Previous Studies
Thor Heyerdahl and Edwin Ferdon (1955 to 1961)

Edwin Ferdon
 Thor Heyerdahl

I Previous Studies
Thor Heyerdahl and Edwin Ferdon (1955 to 1961)

Edwin Ferdon

Photo: Norwegian Expedition, Thor Heyerdahl

 I Previous Studies
Patrick “Pat” McCoy (1973 to present)

Photo: Pat McCoy

Photo: Pat McCoy

BG Photos: Yann Arthus-Bertrand
 Archaeological Atlas Cristino, Vargas & Izaurieta, 1981

I Previous Studies
José Miguel Ramírez (1990s to present)

José Miguel Ramirez

 Archaeological
ArchaeologicalAtlas
AtlasCristino,
Cristino,Vargas
Vargas&&Izaurieta,
Izaurieta,1981
1981

I Previous Studies
José Miguel Ramírez (1990s to present)

• Rafael Rapu

Rafael Rapu (Photo: Jo Anne Van Tilburg, EISP)

I Previous Studies
Jo Anne Van Tilburg (1981 to present)
 Cristián Arévalo Pakarati

I Previous Studies
Jo Anne Van Tilburg (1981 to present)

• Cris,án Arévalo Pakara,

Photos: J. Van Tilburg, EISP

 I Previous Studies
• Amelia Tepano and San,ago Pakara,
—> Edmundo Edwards (informant and uncredited colleague of Georgia Lee)

Amelia Tepano, Santiago Pakarati and family Edmundo Edwards

I Previous Studies
Georgia Lee (1986)
I Previous Studies
Georgia Lee and Paul Horley (2018)
 II Methodology
••Panasonic Lumix DMC G7
Panasonic Lumix DMC G7
••Magellan Explorist 610 GPS
Magellan Explorist 610 GPS
••Google Earth Pro
Google Earth Pro
••Metallic ruler
Metallic ruler

Advertisement images
 III Survey
Panel I: Voyaging Canoe
• Panel I: Polynesian-sailed Canoes (Ia and 1b)
Panel II: Fishing Canoe and Fishhook
• Panel II: Canoe and Fishhook (IIa and IIb)
• Panel III: Uniden,fied Petroglyph
Panel II: Uniden,fied Petroglyph
 III Survey Panel I: Physical Features
Panel I: Polynesian-sailed Canoes
• About 16 x x 14.5 cm
• Incised
• 2 Polynesian-sailed Canoes
• Mixed condition
 III Survey Panrl I: Physical Features
Panel I: Polynesian-sailed Canoes
• About 16 x x 14.5 cm
• Incised
• 2 Polynesian-sailed Canoes
• Mixed condition
 Panel Ia: Physical Features
III Survey • Polynesian-sailed canoe
Panel I: Polynesian-sailed Canoes • 7.5 x 14.5 cm
• Incised
• Partially destroyed
 Panel Ia: Physical Features
III Survey • Polynesian-sailed canoe
Panel I: Polynesian-sailed Canoes • 7.5 x 14.5 cm
• Incised
• Partially destroyed
 III Survey
Panel I: Polynesian-sailed Canoes

Panel Ib: Physical Features

• Polynesian-sailed canoe
• 7.5 x 9 cm
• Incised
• Destroyed
 III Survey
Panel I: Polynesian-sailed Canoes

Panel Ib: Physical Features

• Polynesian-sailed canoe
• 7.5 x 9 cm
• Incised
• Destroyed
 Panel II: Physical Features
III Survey • 30 x 5.8 cm
• Incised
Panel II: Canoe and Fishhook • Fishhook and canoe
• In mixed condition
 Panel II: Physical Features
III Survey • 30 x 5.8 cm
• Incised
Panel II: Canoe and Fishhook • Fishhook and canoe
• In mixed condition
 III Survey Panel IIa: Fishhook
Panel II: Canoe and Fishhook • 5 x 3 cm
• Incised
• Fishhook
• In good condition
 III Survey Panel IIa: Fishhook
Panel II: Canoe and Fishhook • 5 x 3 cm
• Incised
• Fishhook
• In good condition
 III Survey
Panel II: Canoe and Fishhook Panel IIb: Canoe
• 15.5 x 5.8 cm
• Incised
• Canoe
• In mixed condition (?)
 III Survey
Panel II: Canoe and Fishhook Panel IIb: Canoe
• 15.5 x 5.8 cm
• Incised
• Canoe
• In mixed condition (?)
 III Survey
Panel II: Canoe and Fishhook Panel IIb: Canoe
• 15.5 x 5.8 cm
• Incised
• Canoe
• In mixed condition (?)
 III Survey
Panel III: Uniden,fied Petroglyph Panel III: Unidentified Petroglyph

• Incised with some relief

• Unidentified
• In mixed condition
 III Survey
Panel III: Uniden,fied Petroglyph Panel III: Unidentified Petroglyph

• Incised with some relief

• Unidentified
• In mixed condition
 III Survey Panel III: Unidentified Petroglyph
Panel III: Uniden,fied Petroglyph Panel III: Unidentified Petroglyph
• Incised with some relief
• Incised with some relief
• Unidentified
• Unidentified
• In mixed condition
• In mixed condition

•Size
•Physical Features
 III Survey
Site Loca,on
•Area Features
•Associated Cultural Features

Petroglyph site
 • Private land in Hanga Roa
• Fer,le land
• Near Orito (source of obsidian)
• Haumoana Clan Territory in ancient ,mes
III Survey
• Sejlement site and obsidian workshop site Site Loca,on
•Area Features

Petroglyph site
 • Private land in Hanga Roa
• Fer,le land
• Near Orito (source of obsidian)
• Haumoana Clan Territory in ancient ,mes
III Survey
• Sejlement site and obsidian workshop site Site Loca,on
•Area Features

Petroglyph site
 TANGAROA SAMPLING SITE
• Hawaiites
• Olivine basalts
III Survey
• Mugearites
Site Loca,on
•Area Features

Petroglyph site
 IV Discussion
Analysis and Interpreta,on
• Cultural Context
• Chronology
• Considera,ons

GREATER CHALLENGES
• Interpretation
• Conservation
 IV Discussion
Analysis and Interpreta,on
• Cultural Context
• Chronology
• Considera,ons

Cultural Context
•The Func,on of Rock Art
•Polynesian Naviga,onal Skill
•Na,ve vessels in Polynesian and Rapanui Rock Art
•Foreign vessels in Polynesian and Rapanui Rock Art
•Rapanui Skills, Technology and Boatbuilding
•Contact Networks
 IV Discussion Ar#s#c works can be “read” as repositories of informa#on,
iillustrated stories, signatures, or simply as messages and/or
The Func,on of Rock Art objects of contempla#on.

• Graphic Tradi,ons
• Innova,ve Communica,on
• Illustrated Concepts
• Concise Storytelling
• Mnemonics
 IV Discussion Growth
The Func,on of Rock Art

Unity

Rain clouds

Enata = Deified ancestors

Pohu with his house

Pohu’s brothers & sisters (without legs)

Tefio, Kena’s wife rescued from Havaiki

 IV Discussion
The Func,on of Rock Art

OTHER EXPRESSIONS
• Rongorongo
• Kai Kai
IV Discussion: Analysis and Interpreta,on
Cultural Context
•Polynesian Naviga,onal Skill
IV Discussion: Analysis and Interpreta,on
Cultural Context
•Polynesian Naviga,onal Skill
IV Discussion: Analysis and Interpreta,on
Cultural Context •Polynesian Naviga,onal Skill

SUMALO 10 generations // 4,000 km (2,500 mi)

4.000 BC
The Lapita Cultural
Complex
3,500 BC
3,200 BC

3,250 BC 1,500 BC

1440 km

3,100 BC
51
52
IV Analysis and Interpreta,on •Polynesian Naviga,onal Skill

Cultural Context
 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
•Na,ve vessels in Polynesian Rock Art
 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
•Na,ve vessels in Polynesian Rock Art
 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
• Na,ve vessels in Polynesian Rock Art
 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
• Na,ve vessels in Rapa Nui Rock Art

Photo by Murray Foote

 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
• Na,ve vessels in Rapa Nui Rock Art

Photo Jo Anne Van Tilburg, EISP

 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
• Na,ve vessels in Rapa Nui Rock Art

Photos Jo Anne Van Tilburg, EISP

Solomon islanders fishing (after Ralph Ellis)
 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
• Na,ve vessels in Rapa Nui Rock Art

Photos Jo Anne Van Tilburg, EISP

Solomon islanders fishing (after Ralph Ellis)
 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
•Foreign vessels in Polynesian Rock Art

Painting by Lisa Reihana

 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
•Foreign vessels in Polynesian Rock Art
IV Analysis and Interpreta,on
Cultural Context
•Foreign vessels in Rapanui Rock Art
 IV Discussion
Cultural Context

•Foreign vessels in Rapanui Rock Art

 IV Discussion
Cultural Context

•Foreign vessels in Rapanui Rock Art

 III Survey
Panel I: Polynesian-sailed Canoes

Panel Ib: Physical Features

• Polynesian-sailed canoe
• 7.5 x 9 cm
• Incised
• Destroyed
 Panel Ia: Physical Features
III Survey • Polynesian-sailed canoe
Panel I: Polynesian-sailed Canoes • 7.5 x 14.5 cm
• Incised
• Partially destroyed
 •Foreign vessels in Rapanui Rock Art

(after Heyerdahl and Ferdon 1961 and Lee 1992).

 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
• Rapanui Skills, Technology & Boatbuilding

• Vaka vs. Pahi

 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
• Rapanui Skills, Technology & Boatbuilding

• Tohunga
Tahitian War Canoe building plan

Rapanui house building plan

 III Survey
Panel III: Uniden,fied Petroglyph Panel III: Unidentified Petroglyph

• Incised with some relief

• Unidentified
• In mixed condition
IV Discussion
Cultural Context

• Contact Network
IV Discussion
Cultural Context

• Contact Network
 IV Discussion • Contact Network

Cultural Context
• Oeno (441 km east of Mangareva)
• Pitcairn (526 km east of Mangareva)
• Henderson (676 km east of Mangareva)
• Ducie (1,038 km east of Mangareva)
 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
• Contact Network

TABLE OF DISTANCES
• To Salas y Gómez (Motu Mo,ro Hiva) 402 km
• To Ducie —> 1,566 km
• To Henderson: 1,922 km
• To Pitcairn: 2,057 km
• To Oeno: 2, 172
• To Mangareva: 2,057 km
• To Caleta Piures, Chile: 3,519 km
• To Tahi,: 4,231 km E
 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
• Contact Network
 An Inhabited Island...
IV Discussion
1110 + 100 AD Cultural Context
1550 + 70 AD

• Contact Network

Imported products Local products

ca.1460

Imported Artefacts Local Artefacts

 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
• Contact Network
 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
• Contact Network

Pitcairn Island Petroglyphs

 IV Discussion
Rapanui Rongorongo Script

Cultural Context
• Contact Network

Pitcairn Island Petroglyphs

 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
• Contact Network

Pitcairn Island Petroglyphs

Pitcairn Island Petroglyphs

Petroglyphs at Pohnpei, Micronesia

 IV Discussion
Cultural Context

• Contact Network
 IV Discussion
Cultural Context

• Contact Network

Pitcairn islander Rapanui fishhooks

with stone fishhook (J. Van Tilburg , EISP)
V Discussion
•Local Mo,fs

Fishhook Petroglyphs
 IV Discussion TUPA OBSERVATORIES:
• 12 Pleiades
• 8 Alpha Beta Centauri

Cultural Context
• 7 North–South
• 5 Vega
• 4 Orions Belt
• 4 Alpha Crux
• 4 Fomalhaut
• Rapanui Seafaring Skills, Technology, & Boatbuilding • 3 Max. So. Moon Declina,on
• 2 Max. No. Moon Declina,on
• 2 December Sols,ce
• 2 Beta Crux
• 2 Alpha Auriga
• 2 Beta Auriga
• 1 East-West

Papa-ui-hetu’u, Rapa Nui Tupa, Hanga Hoónu, Rapa Nui

 • Rapanui Seafaring Skills, Technology, & Boatbuilding
IV Discussion
Cultural Context
 • Rapanui Seafaring Skills, Technology, & Boatbuilding

IV Discussion
Cultural Context
 • Rapanui Seafaring Skills, Technology, & Boatbuilding

IV Discussion Hawaii

Cultural Context

Ellice Is. Marquesas

Samoa Society Tuamotu

Cooks
Tonga Gambiers
Australs Rapa Nui
Pitcairn

New
Zealand
 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
• Rapanui Seafaring Skills, Technology, & Boatbuilding
 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
• Rapanui Seafaring Skills, Technology, & Boatbuilding
IV Discussion • Rapanui Seafaring Skills, Technology, & Boatbuilding
Cultural Context
Tongan Tongiaki (model replica)

Satawalese single out-rigger, in 1826

 IV Discussion
Cultural Context
• Rapanui Seafaring Skills, Technology, & Boatbuilding
IV Discussion
• Rapanui Seafaring Skills, Technology, & Boatbuilding
Cultural Context

“They went into the forest and cut

IV Discussion • Rapanui Seafaring Skills, Technology, & Boatbuilding
Cultural Context
IV Discussion • Rapanui Seafaring Skills, Technology, & Boatbuilding

Cultural Context
 IV Discussion •Etching
•Incision

Chronology •Bas-Relief

•Petroglyph Types and Styles

Photo Pat McCoy

Photo EISP, Van Tilburg
 IV Discussion •Etching
•Incision

Chronology •Bas-Relief

•Petroglyph Types and Styles

•Etching
•Incision
•Bas-Relief

Photo Pat McCoy

Digital Reconstruction Horley, Lee, and Bahn
 IV Discussion •Etching
•Incision

Chronology •Bas-Relief

•Petroglyph Types and Styles

•Etching
•Incision
•Bas-Relief

Digital Reconstruction Horley, Lee, and Bahn

Digital reconstruction in Horley, Lee, and Bahn
IV Discussion
Chronology
 V Conclusions
•Cultural and Historical Implica,ons
•Future Study
 V Conclusions
•Cultural and Historical Implica,ons

•Cultural Landscape

Fishhook petroglyphs

Photo J. Van Tilburg, EISP

Drawings by Geiseler (1882) in Ayres & Ayres 1995

 V Conclusions
•Cultural and Historical Implica,ons
 V Conclusions
Cultural and Historical Implica,ons

DrawingG. Irwin

Herb Kane´s interpretation

 V Conclusions
• Future Study
• Naviga,on in the Present
• Photogrammetry / LiDAR
• Obsidian-da,ng
• Conserva,on
 V Conclusions
Future Study

•Naviga,on in the Present

Serafina Moulton
Te Aurere
The Waka Tapu Voyage canoes (2013)

Kuini Analola (2019)

 V Conclusions
Future Study
•Naviga,on in the Present

Tavake Pacomio
 VI Conclusions
Future Study
•Naviga,on in the Present

Tavake Pacomio
 V Conclusions
Future Study

•Photogrammetry / LiDAR
 V Conclusions
Future Study

•Photogrammetry / LiDAR
 V Conclusions
Future Study

•Photogrammetry / LiDAR
 V Conclusions
Future Study

•Photogrammetry / LiDAR
V Conclusions
Future Study

• Obsidian Da,ng
V Conclusions
Future Study

• Conserva,on
V Conclusions
Future Study

• Conserva,on
“If you can read the ocean, you will never be lost.”
-Master Navigator Mau Piailug

Mauru’uru!
Thank you!
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