Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 2. Human Activities
Draft 1 March 2007
m (29 x 15 ft) and 76 cm (2.5 ft) in height. There were also stone trails between these sites.
More than 20 structures were documented by the 1933 Zaca party (Macgregor n.d.).
However, documentation for nine sites was lost in an accident on the reef.
Another platform was located 55 m (60 yards) northwest of the first site (Bryan 1934). This
platform was identical to another platform near the southeast point of Manra (Sydney).
Additional platforms were along the guano tramway.
Ellis (1937) noted that on Manra (Sydney) there were numerous traces of prehistoric natives
who once lived there.
Bigelow (1939) investigated the various archaeological sites on Manra (Sydney) and
provided brief descriptions of each. Bigelow (1939) discovered a circular paved pathway on
the southwest side of Manra (Sydney). Bigelow’s (1939) observations of archaeological sites
on Manra (Sydney) differed from those of Emory (citation not provided in Bigelow 1939).
Some of Emory’s sites were found, but others could not be located.
In 1939, H.W. Bigelow investigated all archaeological sites on Manra (Sydney) and was able
to provide detailed measurements and documentation for all sites (Macgregor n.d.). Bigelow
also found three shallow pits about 0.9 m (3 ft) diameter and 46 cm (1.5 ft) deep between
sites H and I. It was speculated that they were pit ovens. Ten other pits were found south of
a line between platforms C to G.
On the southwest side of Manra (Sydney), Bigelow (1939) observed two large holes
surrounded by an irregular ring of slabs set on edge. These may be related to Emory’s J and
K sites (Bigelow 1939).
On the northwest and northeast sides of Manra (Sydney) there were several ruins of ancient
altar platforms and house foundations (Hydrographic Office 1940). Bryan (1941) reported
that there were a dozen or more platforms and closures of sandstone slabs.
Luke (1962) reported that Manra (Sydney), Orona (Hull), and Nikumaroro (Garnder) had
archaeological evidence that they were occupied before the coming of Europeans (see also
Sharp 1956).
UN Department of Political Affairs, Trusteeship and Decolonization (1979) noted evidence
of pre-European habitation on Manra (Sydney).
Di Piazza and Pearthree (2004) provided a map of Manra archaeological sites (see Figure III-
2.5).
Figure III-2.5. Map of Manra archaeological sites.
(source: Di Piazza and Pearthree 2004).
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