TK PITO TE HENUA, OR EASTER ISLAND. 503 



our entire force disclosed beneath this platform well constructed cata- 

 combs and tombs, containing human remains so old thai they crumbled 

 into dust upou exposure to the air. The removal of one <>f the facing- 

 stones revealed a lot of skulls with remarkably broad, heavy underjaws. 

 These were generally too brittle to be handled, and a peculiar feature 

 about the hud was the fact that these heads had been entombed to- 

 gether, ami the surroundings excluded the idea of any other portions of 

 the bodies haviug been interred with them. Only one image is in 

 sight, and the proximity of the platform to the edge of the bluff sug- 

 gests the possibility that other statues may have been thrown into 

 the sea. From the size and character of the work on the structure it 

 is not reasonable to suppose that it was designed to support the one 

 insignificant statue that lies near it. 



Platform Ko. 12.— Called "Ohau". Central section 18 feet long, 9 

 feet wide, and G feet high. One image thrown down upon its face on 

 the inboard side, 8 feet 4 inches long: extreme width of body 5 feet ; 

 length of head 4 feet ; and width from ear to ear, 3 feet 3 inches. Cood 

 state of preservation. (Plate XXIX). 



Platform No. 13. — Called "Ahukinokino". In such a state of ruin 

 that measurements were not obtainable. Situated close to the edge of 

 the high cliff. 



Platform No. 14. — Called "Ahutoretore ". Has been so completely 

 destroyed that nothing can be determined about its original size and 

 importance. Excavations in this vicinity produced nothing but a ir\\ 

 stray spear heads of obsidian. 



Platform X<>. 15.— Called "Hangatariri"; 103 feet long, 11 feet wide: 

 and 6 feet high. In very bad condition, but some of the large cut facing- 

 stones are in position. Four images lie (ace downward on the island 

 side, and two more have fallen on their backs toward the sea. A few 

 yards back of this structure is a tomb 50 feet long and C> feet wide, built 

 of stones taken from the platform and those peculiarly (ait stones that 

 form the foundations of the image-builders' houses. At one end is a 

 hard stone slab that appears to have been covered with hieroglyphics, 

 but they are too nearly obliterated to be accurately traced. After a 

 thorough investigation we concluded that it was of comparatively 

 recent date and had no distinctive features of its own. On the plain, a 

 few hundred yards distant, is an image of gigantic proportions lying 

 upon its face with the head toward the sea. The indications are that 

 it was designed for this platform and was being moved into position 

 when from some sudden emergency it had to be abandoned. The 

 ground underneath the statue has been dug out by later generations 



in such a manner that the body of the image forms the roof of the 

 <-ave. The base of the statue shows traces of rudely sculptured figlll i 

 Dearly obliterated. In this vicinity are several large caves, with tin- 

 narrow entrances completely blocked up with loose stones, which wen- 

 not investigated for the want of time. 



