King Has New Theory
p. 42 · Read in the full issue
On An Old Mystery
King Taufa'ahau of Tonga is to visit the mysterious Ha'amonga on Tonga tapu on June 21 (shortest day) and December 21 (longest day) this year to test an astronomical theory he has recently formed on the purpose of the structure.
The Ha'amonga, a massive trilithon of coral rock (see picture, p. 49), is the only structure of its kind in the South Pacific. Nothing is known with certainty about its origin or purpose, but it has been suggested that it may have been the entrance to an ancient village.
When King Taufa'ahau visited the trilithon recently, he noticed an arrow or V-notch carved into the cross piece. Compass bearings showed that this pointed to the Tropic of Capri corn and to the approximate position on the horizon where the sun would rise on the longest day of the year.
The King's theory now is that the Ha'amonga may have served to fix the start of the ancient Tongan lunar year, which was divided into 13 months.