A pragmatic approach to the Ahu Moai of Easter Island and the Polynesian culture of the North and South Pacific Islands
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Harnessing the Sun, Moon and Stars
For example, Ahu Vai Mata and Maikati Te Moa used in conjunction with the Volcano Terevaka provides a direct bearing to the islands of Hawai’i. Similarly, Maiati Te Moa and Te Peu provide direction to New Zealand while Tara Kai Ua and Nau Nau give a bearing to Isla Del Sol in Lake Titicaca, South America and A Tanga paired with Papa Tekena give route to Tikal on the Yucatan Peninsula in Central America. Using this same technique, the coastal Ahu can be used individually, with other lesser prominent land features, hillside Ahu sites or even with each other depending on the desired destination.
Ancient Pacific wayfarers as well as the indigenous people of South America possessed a keen knowledge of their environment and the skies above which is made obvious by the various structures which were constructed long before the European explorers arrived. Considering the slave raids which quickly transpired following the arrival of these newcomers, it should be no mystery of why the native inhabitants encountered had little or no knowledge to share with this strange new people with regards to the navigational skills and aptitude. Nonetheless, there were European accounts of encounters at sea with smaller swifter sailing vessels but never any direct contact or communication. Most of that which is already understood about this region is not in question but there are many reasons to concede and too much evidence to deny that Polynesia and the Americas has been a melting pot of cultures from every direction for thousands of years.
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