2 CARL SKOTTSBEKG 



re^^ardini,^ the cxistino^ monuments. Last year a small book appeared, entitled 

 »lJet sunkne kontinent (Atlantis)», b\- a Xoruegian, C. SuND (Copenhagen I919), 

 where also the supposed Pacific continent is spoken of. As might be expected, 

 I'Lastcr Island forms an important item. With my permission, two of my photo- 

 <,'raphs were reproduced. No doubt Mr. SUND regards himself as excused for 

 his mistakes, for he has quoted various obscure authors; but it must be regretted 

 that lie should not happen to draw from a single reliable source, not even 

 from m\- popular dcscrif)ti()n, which was known to him. Mr. SUND tells us of 

 the Iv^^vptian influence in Easter Island, of the enormous foundation walls and 

 ruins of temples; almost ever\- mountain had sculptured designs of goods, fishes 

 and p\'ramids, the cave paintings w:ere in the l^oltec or Egyptian style, etc. 

 There are 300 tablets with script on the island (if it were but true!), waiting 

 to be deciphered. On the mountain terraces are fortresses with walls up to 

 80 feet high. The pyramid is the architectonical principle, built as the Egj^ptiari 

 one, even with the same kind of cement. All materials, bricks, glass, porcelain, 

 ever>thing was known in I£aster Island; religion, symbols and habits were the 

 same as in I\gypt, only, the culture of the island was older. There are fan- 

 tastic groups of statues roundabout, gods of hard store with faces up to 25 

 feet high, in the highlands there are images on high stone pillars or staircase- 

 like foundations, and with square hats of stone, most of them covered with 

 script in a probably forgotten language. Round them are the remains of large 

 walls and buildings, so they probably- stood in vast temple-yards. And so 

 forth. No wonder that Mr. SUNI) draws the most surprising conclusions. Now, 

 this must not be taken too seriously and will do no harm in scientific circles. 

 The general reader, however, will get a rather curious idea of Easter Island. 

 I dare say the place is remarkable enough in itself and need not be glorified 

 bv such fantastic inventions. 



iMually, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for kind assistance to the 

 Commander and Officers of the »General Baquedano», to Bishop RafaEL Ed- 

 wards, Mr. I'KK( V I-:i)MiN])s, Mr. I. ViVES and Baron Erland NoRDENSKlOLD. 



Explanation of Plate 14. 



1. StiMic ;u1/.:, no. U). i. 307; iu)t quite V-'- 



2. .Stone ciiiscl, no. 10. 1. 320; alino.st ^i. 



V  >^ no. K). I. :;:i ; ,^ a,. 



4. I'lsh hook of stone, no. iq. i :,2y, almost "/;. 



V Stone 1^11. no. 10. I. 500, not qu;?e nat. si/e. 



(\ Knite or scrape- no. 19. i. 31^, not ciuite nat si/e. 

 7. Speai-Iie.id, no. ly. i. 31 -,. •' „ 



■'^- " . UO. lU. I. :;i J . -j.:. 



'I'lie orii,'inaK in the .Museum. Ciothenbiii". 



