The Ancient Astronomy of Easter Island: The Mamari Tablet Tells (Part 3)

TL;DR

This paper explores the astronomical knowledge of ancient Rapanui priests on Easter Island, revealing their ability to predict equinoxes and deciphering their mathematical and astronomical systems from historical artifacts.

Contribution

It uncovers the mathematical and astronomical methods used by ancient Rapanui priests, including deciphering the astronomical basis of the Ahu Atanga and understanding their prediction techniques.

Findings

Deciphered the mathematical calculations of Rapanui astronomers.

Decoded the astronomical basis of Ahu Atanga.

Revealed the priests' ability to predict equinoxes using sun stones and moon phases.

Abstract

One of main events on Rapanui before the cruel war (several wars) between the Hanau Momoko and Hanau Eepe was the annual election of the bird-man. Plainly, the local priest-astronomers, the descendants of immigrants from the Andean region of South America, could predict the day of the vernal equinox not only with the aid of the so-called "sun stones," but also counting the phases of the moon. The elements of the mathematical calculations of the astronomers have been deciphered. The astronomical basis of the Ahu Atanga (A Tanga) has been decoded, too.