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Easter Island: Early Witnesses

William Thomson


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nearly spherical in shape and about 8 feet 4 inches in circumference, The natives called it "Petakula", and we could only make out that it was a grinding stone of some sort.
   Platform No. 35.-Calles "Puapau"; 150 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 8 feet high, with a small platform in front of it. The building of this elaborate structure must have furnished employment for a large number of people. The foundation stones are of hard rock of immense size, all smoothly faced. Four images have been thrown down, two on each side, and all much broken.
   Platform No. 36.-Called "Hangakouri". Central section 70 feet long, 7 feet wide, and 8 feet high. Extreme length 300 feet. In a state of absolute ruin and no images.
   Platform No.37.-Called "Hangahohoonu". Completely in ruins and with one image in a bad condition. Between these last two platforms is a paved way leading to a small channel through the rocks that affords a safe and convenient landing for small boats.
   Platform No. 38.-Called "Mari". Central section 80 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 7 feet high. Extreme length 300 feet, situated very close to edge of the bluff.
   Platform No. 39.-Called "Ahurai". Very large, but, like the last, in a state of ruin.
   Platform No. 40.-Called "Tehahitunukiolaira". Of great size; but, like the last, in a state of absolute ruin; covering human remains.
   Platform No. 41.-Called "Naruaanga". Small and inferior; also in ruins and no images.
   Platform No. 42.-Called "Hangaopuna". 100 feet long and 10 feet wide. Has two layers of roughly cut stones in the front face, and appears to have been left in an unfinished state.
   Platform No. 43.-Called "Tumatuma"; 25 feet long, 7 feet wide, and 7 feet high. Poorly constructed, and contains nothing of interest but one small image.
   Platform No. 44.-Called "Tokaie". Larger than the last, but in a bad condition. A much battered head lies just behind the pile, but the rest of the image can not be found.
   Platform No. 45.-Called "Vaimangeo"; 50 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 15 feet high. Extreme length, including wings, 150 feet. In a state of ruin, and has one large image thrown down on the inboard side.
   Platform No. 46.-Called "Moukuhoi"; 20 feet long 7 feet wide, and 5 feet high. Extreme length, including wings, 60 feet. Situated very close to the edge of the bluff, and looks as if the destroyers of the structure might have tossed the most of it into the sea.
   Platform No. 47.-Called "Moukuroa". In all respects a duplicate of the last one.
   Platform No. 48.-Called "Motuariki"; 20 feet long, 7 feet wide, and 5 feet high. Extreme length, including wings, 260 feet. This has been a large and imposing structure. The central section, upon which the image

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