Knowing Where You Are Going

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.

 

Having a Known Direction

Having a known direction makes navigation by the stars a much easier prospect. Moreover, using a combination of landmarks with the alignment of the boat, its mast and simple astronomical observations of the sun, moon or stars, a navigator can find his position and can also use them to maintain a bearing direction which can be followed over vast distances well beyond the sight of land. Utilizing multiple objects and observations allows navigators to travel with a much higher degree of precision.  Furthermore, knowledge of the prevailing wind patterns and ocean currents could be utilized by implementing the use of anchor and sounding stones which would add another aspect of accuracy and proficiency to wayfaring.

Although unevenly spaced and named rather than numbered, they do provide an accurate projected direction to culturally significant land masses in the Pacific in addition to ancient cities in Central and South America.

Navigation Without Modern Technology

Without the availability of Radars, GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and electronic depth gauges, boaters, surfers and fishermen who move around coastal areas do have the use of landmarks to help triangulate their position and course when traveling on or near the water.  Depending upon the terrain and circumstance, they rely upon mountains, rocks, tall trees, buildings and other such objects like lighthouses and even Ahu and Moai to provide a direct line of sight.  Not only can they be used to guide ships towards shore but away, as well. 

A More Pragmatic Approach

A more pragmatic analysis indicates the location of the Ahu could have played a significant role in connecting the dots between a Westward migration and influence from the Eastern Pacific.  An idea and ability to travel methodically which has been traditionally downplayed and at times blatantly disregarded by a majority of the academic community of the past who perpetuated the concept of a singular Eastward movement through Polynesia.  Nonetheless, mounting evidence including genetic findings surrounding many new discoveries suggests multiple migrations throughout the Polynesian region and well beyond into neighboring islands as well as larger continents. 

At Rapa Nui (Easter Island) an aerial view or “eye from the sky” reveals the coastal Ahu and Moai are curiously placed in a fashion much resembling a type of triangular compass with the center point and highest landmark being the Volcano Terevaka located in the center.  Although unevenly spaced and named rather than numbered, they do provide a sense of certain direction when combined with geographical features of the island. From a navigational perspective, it is easy to ascertain how Rapa Nui (Easter Island) would naturally become a center or hub for organized movement between the Americas and Western Polynesia.