The Ancient Astronomy of Easter Island: Canopus and the Legendary King Hotu-Matua

Abstract

Watchings of Canopus as a herald of the winter were important duties of ancient priests-astronomers on Easter Island. All the analysed data witness that this star was observed during the first and second voyages from Mangareva to the island. The names of king Hotu-Matua (Anua-Motua) and his father Tara tahi have been decoded. Several rongorongo records from the Esteban Atan manuscript have been deciphered advantageously. The new view at a painted barkcloth figurine connected with the bird-man cult has been offered. Some data about watchings of Aldebaran, the Pleiades, the sun, the moon, Venus and Mars have been collected as well.