Polynesian Megaliths: Ha'amonga a Maui, Niutoua, Tonga

Constructed around 800 years ago, this trilithon is archaelogical evidence of one of the Polynesian kingdoms that regulated the sedentary and migratory life of the ancient Polynesians who first occupied the coral islands of Polynesia.

Their remarkable navigation, knowledge of water tables in coral cays and atolls, ability to make pottery, and gardening of root crops that generated storable surpluses empowered them so that they were able to dominate hunter-gatherer societies of coastal Melanesia, and to travel and settle previously uninhabited coral islands of the Pacific, which then led them to the uninhabited volcanic islands of Marquesas Is, Austral Is, Society Is, Hawaiian Is and eventually New Zealand. They established wide maritime kingdoms.

Historians and archaeologists tell us that this trilitic gate was built during the reign of Tu'itatui, the 11th King of Tonga. It is also believed to indicate the direction of the sunrises of the solstices and the equinox, and may have been the entrance gate to the royal compound. The megaliths are of coralline limestone, each weighing 40 tonnes.

Gorgeous perpective, especial architecture and very interesting story! Very beautiful photo Ian ! My best regards, Tamás

Thank you, Tamás for your expression of appreciation. My grandson is pointing to the direction of the equinox sunrise, which is indicated by marking on the top of the trilithon. I hope I am bale to make some people aware of the important history of the Pacific that is indicated by such significant sites.

Ian

I've read your explanation about the ancient Polynesians, which is very interesting. If the gate indicates the direction of solstices and equinoxes, it means they had vast astronomy knowledge. The picture is also very good, it has a special geometry. Greetings, Liviu

They did have this knowledge, Liviu, for they were remarkable navigators sailing their huge double canoes across huge distances, not just on exploratory voyages, but also in trading and with multiple migrations. They also had excellent knowledge of wave patterns, which they used for navigation as well as for detecting the locations of islands, for they read the refraction patterns as well the patterns of oceanic swell.

Their initial origin appears to be south China including Taiwan and Hainan. This has been determined first by genetic characteristics, linguistics and pottery shards found at sites across the SW Pacific and able to be traced back to China. Now DNA has confirmed that origin.

As these agricultural navigators migrated they established themselves on islands especially the uninhabited coral ones, and used these as beachheads to dominate any existing society on the nearby coasts of larger islands. Once they reached Samoa and Fiji there is only vast distances beyond with uninhabited islands. These include Tonga, and Kingdoms and feudal systems were established there, and so on. Hawaiians and the Maori of New Zealand and the Maohi of Tahiti all derive from these migrating ancestors.

I have been privileged to learn and to visit and to know people from right across this realm. And I am grateful. Thanks for your interest, Liviu.

Ian

I agree completely with Tamas !

I too agree ,great images, and the background behind them,thanks for sharing your images and knowledge from this area :),Cheers Craig

It is a real joy to come home on a Friday afternoon and read beautiful comments form special people. Thank you so much, lavieorange and Craig... and Tamás and Liviu as well, of course.

I find it all fascinating, too, of course.

Ian

Beautifully composed photo and interesting education about another of the world's unappreciated earlier peoples. Thanks both aesthetically and culturallyt.

Marilyn

Dear Marilyn,

In another comment I remarked on my awareness of you and Anita when I was there, knowing I had to take such a photo. But the window didn't give a very interesting view, so when Ben was thinking about the solstices and equinox directions, he gave me the opportunity to create something. I am pleased that you have commented, for it is a wee gift for you.

And as for the Tongans, they have never been colonised so their culture is as in tact as one could expect whilst living in a globalised world. Christianity and education brought the greatest changes to the culture, and it was the Tongan willing embrace of both that makes a heap of difference. No historian writing on anything Tongan, can do so without full engagement with the culture, for otherwise it just doesn't make sense. I hope this is generating a dream.

Warmest regards and thanks,

Ian

Greetings Ian. As I would expect from one so inquisitive, this wonderful photo and illuminating commentary has brought a little of that distant land to my living room. Thankyou.

Jim

Thanks for your genuine interest in this 'distant land' and for your affirming comment, Jim. I take you to Tonga and you take me to Norway - like the ends of the earth!

Ian