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Astronomically aligned religious structures on Raiatea and Raivavae and the Matariki festival of 1770 on Easter Island†

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 July 2011

Edmundo Edwards
Edmundo Edwards*
Affiliation:
Pacific Islands Research Institute (PIRI), Casilla 27 Correro, Hanga Roa, Easter Island, Chile email: eeastman04@gmail.com
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Abstract

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Eastern Polynesian astronomy was practiced by navigators and astronomer-priests who were in charge of adjusting the lunar calendar and their annual ritual cycle of activities known as ‘The Work of the Gods’. The festivity known in Polynesia as Matariki, Matali'i or Matari'i was related to the heliacal and acronical rising and setting of the Pleiades. A study of 75 marae on the island of Raivavae, Austral Islands and of 7 marae in the island of Raiatea, Society Islands shows that there are alignments towards important star positions associated with this ritual cycle. Their use as observatories has not been documented and therefore these alignments could have served solely ritual purposes. On Easter Island all information regarding the Matariki festival coincides with the arrival of a Spanish expedition in 1770.

Keywords

Polynesiaritual cyclemaraealignmentsharvest festivalPacific islands: RaiateaPacific islands: RaivavaePacific islands: Easter Island
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 7 , Symposium S278: “Oxford IX” International Symposium on Archaeoastronomy , January 2011 , pp. 275 - 281
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2011

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