512 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1889, 



until an opening was made clear through the structure. No results 

 having been obtained except a knowledge of how the pile was con- 

 structed from the foundation up, additional efforts were directed 

 towards the two ends. To our great disappointment, we had nothing 

 to show for the great labor expended upon this platform. The only 

 human remains about the place are those of recent date, in shallow 

 tombs on the rear side of the pile. There is a tradition to the effect 

 that this was the last platform built on the island and was intended 

 for the colossal image (70 feet) lying in the workshops on the west 

 side of the crater of Ran a Koraka. The legend asserts that when the 

 work upon the platform aud images had arrived at a certain stage, a 

 great feast was held in honor of the event by the powerful tribe of 

 Viuapu. The wife of the chief was of the Tongariki clan and during the 

 ceremonies this "lady" was slighted in the division of "long pig," but 

 whether intentionally or otherwise does not appear. Cannibalism was 

 practiced on the island down to the advent of the first missionaries, and 

 was always an important feature of the ancient feasts. The bodies 

 were roasted in ovens made of hot stones covered with earth, after the 

 manner practiced all through Polynesia, and certain portions were 

 awarded to prominent individuals. Upon this particular occasion the 

 rib-roast, " tenderloin" steak, or whatever the favorite morsel was which 

 belonged to the aforesaid female by reason of her rank, was given to 

 another. The insulted individual immediately sought the protection 

 of her own clan, who arose en masse to vindicate the Tongariki honor. 

 Long and bloody wars followed. Image-builders and platform-makers 

 were drawn into the conflict from all parts of the island and, in a spirit 

 of revenge, platforms were destroyed aud images thrown down when- 

 ever opportunity offered. This is believed to have been the origin of 

 the trouble which has laid waste the extraordinary works of this island. 



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Fig. 20. 

 Platfohm 110. "Vinapu." 



Platform No. 110.— Called " Viuapu" (Fig. 20). A large structure 

 with six mutilated images, and of the same general character and 

 appearance as those already described. Immediately behind this plat- 

 form a wall of earth incloses a piece of ground about 225 feet in. 



