Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 2. Human Activities
Draft 1 March 2007
Other Findings - An old water hole was located near the fish pond with excellent freshwater
(Arundel 1885; see also Ellis 1937). In addition, a collection of 1.8 m (6 ft) deep holes about
2.4 m (8 ft) diameter were noted (Arundel 1885).
Bigelow (1939) reported that Jack Pedro, a former employee of Captain Allen as well as the
Burns-Philp Co., had visted Manra (Sydney) several times in the past. Pedro reported finding
a canoe in the lagoon. The canoe’s outrigger was broken, but Pedro noted that the
construction was not Gilbertese nor was it Tokelan.
Bryan (1941 and 1942) noted that there were several wells. In addition, there were several
pits that might have been used for cooking.
Di Piazza and Pearthree (2004) excavated a trash pit on Manra. A variety of materials were
uncovered including: basalt flakes, basal cores, fish hooks, pear shell debitage (worked pieces
of pearl shell), bird bones, and charcoal assemblage.
Di Piazza and Pearthree (2001) identified basalt rocks on Manra that were derived from the
Tataga Matau quarry on Tutuila in American Samoa. These had to have been transported to
Manra, a distance of 1,075 km.
Origin of Inhabitants – MacGregor (1934) reported that the stone structures on Orona (Hull)
and Manra (Sydney) were closely related to maraes and house foundations in Polynesia but
have not been recorded in uninhabited islands of western Polynesia.
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