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Thirteen colossal images that once ornamented this remarkable structure have been thrown down and more or less damaged. Their red tufa crowns, also considerably broken, lie near at hand. On the inland facing-wall there is a ground tier of gray volcanic stone finely dressed, and on this is a tier of tufa stones 4½ feet long, 2½ feet high, and 8 inches thick each, and these are covered with hieroglyphics. This is known as the King's platform, and is regarded as one of the most important on the island, on account of the finished work on the structure as well as the numerous sculptures (Fig. 19). The tradition
FIG. 19.
SCULPTURED ROCK:
KING'S PLATFORM.
asserts that this was the burial place of
Hotu-Matua, the first king, and a long line of
his descendants. Our excavations in the
vicinity produced nothing of interest beyond a
few ancient skulls with lower jaws of
extraordinary size and width. From the
foundation of image-builders' houses we obtained
fine stone implements and carving tools.
Platform No.81.-Called "Harerora". Small and unimportant.
One image, much broken.
Platform No. 82.-Called "Motuopope".
Central section 252 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 7
feet high. Extreme length, 375 feet. Six
images in rather bad condition. This structure is
important from the fact that the statues have
short ears, the only ones of the kind we found on
the island. The sketches will show that on all
the platforms, as well the images in the workshops
as those left in an unfinished state were all
carved with long ears. Why there was an exception
made to the general rule in the images that
adorned this structure, could not he determined.
Platform No. 83.-Called "Anaonero". Consisting
of foundation stones only, showing that the work
was abandoned shortly after being commenced.
Platform No.84.-Called "Huareva".
A mere mass of ruins.
Platform No. 85.-Called
"Hoekoe". Has been completely demolished and
shows fragments of two large images.
Platform No. 86.-Called "Pakaea". Central section 45
feet long, 8 feet wide, and 7 feet high, with wings
extending 250 feet on either side. One image, in
a bad condition.
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