From a Single Perspective

When Europeans originally encountered the people of Polynesia, speculation surrounded the ability of the “primitive” natives from having skills beyond the simple tasks of fishing, gathering, farming and especially wayfaring.  Without seeing familiar tools and a written language, it was difficult for the newcomers to fathom any perpetuation of greater knowledge by the indigenous people of these islands. Nonetheless, what is often overlooked is the mental state and professions of these Western explorers themselves. Although determined, adventurous, knowledgeable in navigation, and literate, the European visitors did not attribute the same characteristics to those who had already settled these places.  The initial Europeans who visited were not specifically trained in many of the abstract concepts required for understanding these foreign languages, cultures and ideals like the growing the number of anthropologists and archaeologists of today.

 

Although some of these mysteries may be solved over time, many questions will undoubtedly remain.  Where there isn’t much room for debate is the general areas where the Moai were positioned. Some of those positioned long the coastline were situated atop ceremonial platforms known as Ahu which are similar to the Heiau’s of Hawaii, Pouahu of New Zealand and Marae of Tahiti.  These Ahu were constructed in places elevated above the surrounding landscape either by the natural topography or by heaped up mounds of sand, rocks and other materials.