Easter Island weaponry and other interesting facts

fearn · 21st January 2012, 05:12 PM

Hi AJ,

I think those flaked obsidian are "spear" heads, not arrowheads. They were the sharp end of a weapon known as a mata'a. On a short shaft, they were used as a short spear/dagger/axe, while on a longer shaft, they became polearm heads. These weapons were used by the toa (warriors) and matatoa (master warriors) who basically took over when Rapan society broke down. They're quite common on the island, (un)fortunately, and they seem to be quite variable in size and shape.

Best,

F

AJ1356 · 22nd January 2012, 12:09 PM

fearn,
Thanks for the info, always was facinated the by Easter Islands and what could be discovered there. But ofcourse I don't have much info, so learning things here and there is very helpful .

VANDOO · 25th January 2012, 12:58 AM

A PICTURE OF A RARE OLD EASTER ISLAND CLUB, REPRESENTING THE FISH MAN. IT IS IN AN ARTICLE ON EASTER ISLAND IN THE TWO BOOK SET " WONDERS OF THE PAST" BY HAMMERTON 1948 VOL.1 COPYWRITE 1923 TO 1937. UNFORTUNATELY NO SIZE GIVEN BUT I SUSPECT IT TO BE FROM 18 TO 24 INCHES LONG AT MAXIMUM. ITS ONE OF MY FAVORITES AND RESEMBLES A TYPE OF WRASSE FISH.

A SIDE NOTE! EVEN THOUGH THE NATIVES OF EASTER ISLAND HAD OBSIDIAN ONE OF THE BEST AND EASIEST MATERIALS FOR KNAPPING STONE POINTS THEY NEVER DEVELOPED THE MASTERY TO MAKE THE INCREDIBLE POINTS BUT REMAINED VERY CRUDE. YET ANOTHER MYSTERY OF THE ISLAND.

fearn · 13th April 2013, 10:20 PM

Fishing this one out of the depths....

Well, it looks like everything I thought I knew about Easter Island is wrong.

Great talk by Terry Hunt and Carly Lipo at http://longnow.org/seminars/02013/ja...easter-island/

They've spent over a decade investigating the archeology of Easter Island, and they're pretty sure that the Collapse/ecocide story is wrong in just about every detail. There was a collapse, but it was caused (as in most other cases) by disease introduced by a Spanish ship.

They've got a book out too at Amazon (search their names).

Best,

F

Rick · 14th April 2013, 12:39 AM

Just ordered a copy .

Tim Simmons · 14th April 2013, 05:59 PM

Thanks for the information. I have been reading the "kindle" version today. A great book , wonderful study. I believe there are many areas ripe for this sort of logical study revision. Especially as we are is an age that the idea of "western world" might think of as being "post industrial" and certainly post colonial. Where the historic technical and craft achievements of strange tribal, colonised or conquered people can no longer be seen as a threat to the new order or coloured history to suit the mind set needed to continue an idea of superior thought. An area I would like to see explored with more determination would be metallurgy or metal trade in the North America.

25th January 2012, 12:58 AM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A PICTURE OF A RARE OLD EASTER ISLAND CLUB, REPRESENTING THE FISH MAN. IT IS IN AN ARTICLE ON EASTER ISLAND IN THE TWO BOOK SET " WONDERS OF THE PAST" BY HAMMERTON 1948 VOL.1 COPYWRITE 1923 TO 1937. UNFORTUNATELY NO SIZE GIVEN BUT I SUSPECT IT TO BE FROM 18 TO 24 INCHES LONG AT MAXIMUM. ITS ONE OF MY FAVORITES AND RESEMBLES A TYPE OF WRASSE FISH. A SIDE NOTE! EVEN THOUGH THE NATIVES OF EASTER ISLAND HAD OBSIDIAN ONE OF THE BEST AND EASIEST MATERIALS FOR KNAPPING STONE POINTS THEY NEVER DEVELOPED THE MASTERY TO MAKE THE INCREDIBLE POINTS BUT REMAINED VERY CRUDE. YET ANOTHER MYSTERY OF THE ISLAND. Attached Images Last edited by VANDOO; 25th January 2012 at 06:17 AM.

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21st January 2012, 05:12 PM	#1
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi AJ, I think those flaked obsidian are "spear" heads, not arrowheads. They were the sharp end of a weapon known as a mata'a. On a short shaft, they were used as a short spear/dagger/axe, while on a longer shaft, they became polearm heads. These weapons were used by the toa (warriors) and matatoa (master warriors) who basically took over when Rapan society broke down. They're quite common on the island, (un)fortunately, and they seem to be quite variable in size and shape. Best, F

22nd January 2012, 12:09 PM	#2
AJ1356 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nashville Posts: 317	fearn, Thanks for the info, always was facinated the by Easter Islands and what could be discovered there. But ofcourse I don't have much info, so learning things here and there is very helpful .

13th April 2013, 10:20 PM	#4
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Fishing this one out of the depths.... Well, it looks like everything I thought I knew about Easter Island is wrong. Great talk by Terry Hunt and Carly Lipo at http://longnow.org/seminars/02013/ja...easter-island/ They've spent over a decade investigating the archeology of Easter Island, and they're pretty sure that the Collapse/ecocide story is wrong in just about every detail. There was a collapse, but it was caused (as in most other cases) by disease introduced by a Spanish ship. They've got a book out too at Amazon (search their names). Best, F

14th April 2013, 12:39 AM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Just ordered a copy .

14th April 2013, 05:59 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	Thanks for the information. I have been reading the "kindle" version today. A great book , wonderful study. I believe there are many areas ripe for this sort of logical study revision. Especially as we are is an age that the idea of "western world" might think of as being "post industrial" and certainly post colonial. Where the historic technical and craft achievements of strange tribal, colonised or conquered people can no longer be seen as a threat to the new order or coloured history to suit the mind set needed to continue an idea of superior thought. An area I would like to see explored with more determination would be metallurgy or metal trade in the North America.