A Unique Find on Easter Island

Abstract

In 1986-1988 The Kon-Tiki Museum sponsored an archaeological project in Anakena bay on Easter Island. In 1987, test excavations were conducted in the area about 75 m east of Ahu Nau Nau, and a distinct settlement layer was recovered there. This layer consists of dark brown clayey soil and is between 40-60 cm thick. Two different carbon samples were dated by the C-14 method. They were found to be of almost identical age, dating back to A. D. 1126-1272 and A.D. 1153-1268. In one of the test trenches (trench S) a harpoon-head was found in the settlement layer. This is the first find of a prehistoric bone harpoon from Easter Island, and it will here be submitted to a closer presentation and discussion.