Eyes Towards the Horizon: Structure-From-Motion Photogrammetry Enhances Understanding of Ship Petroglyphs from Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

Authors

  • Annette Kühlem Institute for Ecosystem Research, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany Commission for Archaeology of Non-European Cultures
  • Christian Hartl-Reiter German Archaeological Institute Commission for Archaeology of Non-European Cultures
  • Neka Atan Hey Atan Hey Independent Researcher
  • Singa Pakarati Independent Researcher

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15286/jps.128.3.337-352

Keywords:

Rapa Nui (Easter Island), rock art, petroglyphs, structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry, European sailing ships

Abstract

In this paper we present two petroglyphs of western sailing ships that were recently discovered on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). The far-reaching social ramifications of the arrival of the first Europeans have been discussed in a number of papers, but these newly found images allow for further insight into the effect their arrival had on the Rapanui population. Using structure-from-motion (SfM) macro photogrammetry we created detailed 3D images of the petroglyphs. This helped identify a hitherto unrecognised sense of accuracy and attention to detail employed in the depiction of a European ship by Rapanui artists. Their interest in the construction of European sailing ships, and reproductions thereof, are best understood in the context of the island’s isolation and the lost traditions of building ocean-going canoes.

Author Biographies

Annette Kühlem, Institute for Ecosystem Research, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany Commission for Archaeology of Non-European Cultures

Annette Kühlem is a research archaeologist for the Institute of Ecosystem Research of the Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel and for the Commission of Archaeology of Non-European Cultures of the German Archaeological Institute. Her research has taken her across the Pacific, from the Solomon Islands to the Marquesas, Rapa Nui and Palau. For ten years she has been working at Ava Ranga Uka A Toroke Hau site on Rapa Nui. In 2015 she received a post-doctoral research scholarship to investigate the concept of sacred trees in East Polynesia. She is currently part of an interdisciplinary team investigating monumental earthworks on Babeldaob, Republic of Palau.

Christian Hartl-Reiter, German Archaeological Institute Commission for Archaeology of Non-European Cultures

Christian Hartl-Reiter is a surveying engineer and has worked for archaeological projects all over the world. He is part of the German Expedition to Easter Island of the German Archaeological Institute. At the site of Ava Ranga Uka A Toroke Hau and the greater Quebrada Vaipú he is in charge of topographic mapping, structure-from-motion documentation of the excavation and spot finds, drone photography and field surveying. In 2015 he gave a course for Rapanui archaeology students on structure-from-motion photogrammetry, especially for the documentation of petroglyphs. He has also worked in the Solomon Islands, Marquesas Islands and Palau.

Neka Atan Hey Atan Hey, Independent Researcher

Neka Atan Hey was born and raised on Rapa Nui. As the daughter of a Rapanui fisherman, she has a profound knowledge of and concern for the ocean and for marine life. She lived in mainland Chile while gaining her degree as an educator. On Rapa Nui she is involved in community projects concerned with health management, infrastructure and cultural heritage management. She has worked for several archaeological projects, including as forewoman at the Ava Ranga Uka A Toroke Hau and O Pipiri sites. As a mother of four her focus is on preserving and passing on Rapanui culture to the next generation. In 2014, she was recognised for her commitment to Rapa Nui social and cultural causes.

Singa Pakarati, Independent Researcher

Singa Pakarati comes from a large Rapanui family and has lived on Rapa Nui most of his life. His degree is in agricultural studies. He served as an elected member of the Commission for the Development of Easter Island (CODEIPA) where he represents Rapanui people in political matters vis-à-vis mainland Chile. He has worked with archaeological projects, including an island-wide site survey, and as foreman for the German Expedition to Easter Island. He passes on his knowledge of toponymy and oral traditions to school groups and has recently built an experimental farm on his land where he teaches the horticultural techniques of the ancient Rapanui.

JPS september 2019 cover

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Published

2019-09-30

Issue

Vol. 128 No. 3 (2019): September 2019

Section

Articles

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