The Polynesian

Origin

Discussion of the South American Theory

From Our Own Correspondent.

Papeete, Sept. 20.

A SCHOOL of thought persists which sees in certain elements in Poly nesian life of pre-European times, bear ing unmistakable evidence of origin in the South American continent, proofs that the Polynesian race emigrated into the Pacific from the Americas and not, as is generally accepted, from Asia, by way of the East Indies.

How these South American elements could have been, and most probably were, introduced into Polynesia, is told concisely and clearly by Mr. Kenneth P. Emory, of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum, in his bulletin No. 116, entitled. “Stone Remains in the Society Islands”. In discoursing of the probable origin of the art of dressed stonework found in the ancient Marae, of Tahiti, Mr. Emory writes as follows: “That the construction of facings of rectangular blocks of unequal size, neces sitating in some instances the cutting of shoulders or jogs in order to bring the top of the finished course to a level, is an old technique in South-eastern Poly nesia, is clear from its appearance in pre historic image platforms of Easter Island, where it is even more at home than in the Society Islands—the only other place in Polynesia from which it has been re ported besides Hawaii.

“While it may have evolved either in Tahiti or Easter Island, its appearance as the dominant note in the cut-stone facings of ancient Peru makes South America a possible source, with Easter Island, where its megalithic aspect brings it more in line with the Inca work, the

introductory point.

“As it is now generally agreed that the sweet potato, in South-eastern Polynesia, is an introduction from America, and once ante-dating the final dispersals fb Hawaii and New Zealand (from this cul tural centre in the Society Islands some twenty generations ago, or before the fourteenth century), it is quite within reason to entertain an American origin for a cultural element so specialised as this stone facing.

“It is a conspicuous element localised in the part of America nearest to Poly nesia, a part where currents strike out and flow in the direction of Easter Island and the Tuamctus. This current, in 1929, carried a flock of drums of gasoline, from some wreck on the South American coast, into the Tuamotus, bringing timely aid to the nearly exhausted supply of our party.

May not one of the sea-going rafts of the early Incas have been swept into this cur rent, carrying survivors as far as Easter Island. 2,000 miles to the west? on!S ron ? Easter Island to Tahiti, another 2,000 miles west, voyages are more likely to have been performed.

“In times of trouble, Easter Islanders forced to flee from their island, or Poly nesian visitors turning back, would set out before the trades towards the islands 9j the west, taking with them things or ideas which were new to Polynesia, and of value or interest to them.”

Dr. Agnes Hoege r , of the Lutheran Mission, Madang, N.G., was in Queens land in September, having just returned from U.S.A.