Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 2. Human Activities
Draft 1 March 2007
The coral block ruins on Abariringa (Canton) were considered to be ancient temples by
Meinicke (1888).
In 1924, the Whitney South Sea Expedition found ancient stone structures on Orona (Hull),
Abariringa (Canton) as well as Manra (Sydney) (MacGregor n.d.). No ruins were discovered
on the other Phoenix Islands.
Bryan (1934) reported finding archaeological structures on Abariringa (Canton). Two gravelike
platforms were found at the middle of the northeast part of the island. They were parallel
to the lagoon and about 27.4 m (30 yards) apart. Each had an upright slab near the middle.
These structures were not excavated to determine if they were graves. According to Bryan
(1939) Polynesian graves were not usually marked in this manner. About 4.8 to 6.4 km (3 to
4 miles) east of these two platforms, there was a single slab upright about 0.8 m (2.5 ft)
(Bryan 1934). Seven or eight small slabs lie against the base. Bryan (1939) considered these
monuments as comparatively modern as they were in open unprotected parts of the island.
Degener and Gillaspy (1955) reported quadrangular ruins of large coral blocks on Abariringa
(Canton).
Ward (1967a) noted that the island discovered by the Agate (Anon. 1850) with the ancient
stone pyramid (Anon. 1850 and 1860b) was possibly Abariringa (Canton), not Orona (Hull).
Garnett (1983a) reported no direct archaeological evidence had been found on Abariringa
(Canton). Garnett (1983a) speculated that the Polynesia rat was an indication that the island
was visited by Polynesian or Micronesian voyagers.
Di Piazza and Pearthree (2004) reported that the sites described by Bryan during the 1924
visit were probably bulldozed during the construction of the airport.
Di Piazza and Pearthree (2004) surveyed most of Abariringa (Kanton) for prehistoric
structures. Only guano mining structures dating from the mid to late 19 th century were
identified.
BIRNIE
In 1924, the Whitney South Sea Expedition found ancient stone structures on Orona (Hull),
Abariringa (Canton) as well as Manra (Sydney), but none on other Phoenix Islands
(MacGregor n.d.).
Bryan (1934) reported that there was no sign of former inhabitation on Birnie (see also Bryan
1941).
Maude (1937) reported that the lagoon on Birnie was fed by a small stream that first went
through a curious artificial pond formed by coral slabs cemented together.
Garnett (1983a) reported that there were no archaeological remains or artifacts on Birnie.
However, the presence of the Polynesian rat suggested that Birnie had been visited by
Polynesian or Micronesian voyagers.
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