CARL SKOTTSBERG 



neither the images standing on the mountain nor those found scattered over 

 the island were ever intended for the ahu, but that the latter lined the roads 

 leading from the mountain to the coast. I cannot add anything to the ex- 

 planation of the standing statues. If they were put up to celebrate »bird- 

 men», it seems quaint that not the names of these heroes but those of the 

 workers should have become attached to them, but such is the tradition, as 

 told by Mrs. R. 



The rude stone implements (toki) used by the sculptors are often found. 

 In Hanga Roa we came across a large and very well wrought stone adze of a 

 rather international type, but not found in any of the accounts on the island. 

 It had been picked up on the seashore at low water and is quite incrustated 

 with the shells of animals. It measures 20 cm. (Plate 14, fig. i). A few stone 

 chisels were also obtained; two are figured on Plate 14, fig. 2, 3. 



REMAINS OF HOUSE.S AND PLANTATIONS 



Foundations of old houses are seen in many places, and several were 

 noted on our excursion to Mt. Katiki. Of one a sketch was made, also showing 

 the paved area in front, but without foundation-stones for a porch. None of 

 these dwelling-houses are left. Between INlataveri and Hanga Roa are a couple 

 of grass huts (Plate 10) which give us a faint idea of what the old houses 

 were like. They are small, lack the stone foundation, and have the entrance 

 at one end. 



There is another kind of structure in the shape of low, very strongly 

 built towers of stone which cannot fail to arouse the curiosity of the visitor. 

 The present people do not seem to be sure as to their former use. A fine 

 tower at the landing-place in Hanga Ho Orno (La Perouse) is shown on Plate 

 II, another is figured and described by Mrs. R. (p. 218, fig 87), a third one, 

 in a ruined state, by THOMSON (p. 484). The first-mentioned has a height of 

 3,4 m. and is 6,5 — 7 m. across at the base. The only entrance is 0,65 m. high 

 and 0,9 wide. The roof is vaulted inside; outside, the wall ends in a girdle of 

 stones. The size of the stones bears witness of the prehistoric era and of the 

 makers of the great ahu. Mrs. R., on the authority of some resident, explains 

 these structures as » look-out towers whence watchers on land communicated the 

 whereabouts of the fish to those at sea; these contained a small chamber 

 belowf which was used as a sleeping apartment» (p. 218). 



It sounds strange that these solid towers should have had no other pur- 

 pose than to serve as look-out stations for fishermen. In order to keep a good 

 look-out, presumably to follow the movements of shoals — it has not been 

 proved that there is any fish here of the social type, and Mrs. R. states that 

 »fish are not plentiful » — an observer must seek an eminence dominating a 

 considerable space of water. THOMSON tells us that from the towers the move- 

 ments of the turtles were watched. The observer must keep outside the 

 tower, or on the top of it, not a very comfortable place. Really, the tower 

 itself would have been little more than a refuge in bad weather and during 

 the night, but for such a purpose a much simpler structure would indeed 



