INTRODUCTION 



THE study of the skulls of the Hawaiian Islanders is of exceptional interest. 

 The specimens represent the most remote, yet isolated, locality of a vast 

 range of distribution which began in Southeastern Asia at a period varying 

 in estimation from the fifth to the eleventh centuries." The accounts pre- 

 served of the methods of burial are sufficiently exact to define two kinds of 

 crania, — one of a noble class from the caves, and one of the people from the 

 superficial graves. The crania of the time before and that after the European 

 conquest can be distinguished, and the sad record of deterioration due to 

 infectious diseases traced in indubitable characters. 



In no other series of crania of a primitive people is the student similarly 

 assisted, not only by chronology, but by the operation of factors which have 

 modified the form in recent and relatively short periods of time. 



That the distinction between three social classes — the nobles, the priests, 

 and the people — into which the ancient Hawaiians were divided extended 

 into their methods of burial, we are informed by W. D. Alexander." Accord- 

 ing to this authority, the deified bones of the chiefs were generally carefully 

 concealed in secret and inaccessible caves. This statement is confirmed by J. 

 M. Whitney,"' who says, " The most ancient and favorite of these places of 

 interment were in the old lava caves, with which the island of Hawaii particu- 

 larly abounds. A lava stream flowing from some opening on the mountain- 

 side would cool first on the surface, leaving the still flowing lava within to 

 empty itself on the country below, and thus long irregular caves of varying 

 dimensions would be formed, many of these open from mountain-sides, and 

 often from apparently inaccessible precipices." Alexander, indeed, qualifies 

 these accounts with reference to bones that have been found in ancient coral 

 beds that evidently are of great antiquity. Also, in steep cliffs running down 

 to the water's edge at Kealakeakua Bay, are a great number of ancient 

 Hawaiian burial-places, which appear to be readily inspected by the casual 

 observer. The remains of Captain Cook himself lie buried in one of these 

 caves. Yet, as a whole, the caves are said by Dr. Whitney to be the ancient 



