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Encyclopedia Britannica - Main :: CAR-CAU |
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CAROLINE iSLANDS, a widely-scattered archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, E, of the Philippines and N. of New Guinea
elevation
Ancient Stone Buildings.In Ponape and Kusaie, massive stone structures, similar to those which occur in several other parts of the Pacific Ocean, have long been known to exist. They have been closely explored by Herr Kubary, Mr F. J. Moss; and later Mr F. W. Christian. None of the colossal structures hitherto described appears to have been erected by the present Melanesian or :Polynesian peoples, while their wide diffusion; extending as far as Easter Island, within 400 M. of the New World, points to the occupation of the Pacific lands by a prehistoric race which had made some advance in general culture. The Funafuti borings (1897) show almost beyond doubt that. Polynesia is an area of comparatively recent
In Ponape the remains are of a somewhat similar character, but on a much larger scale, and with this difference, that while those of Lele all stand on the land, those of Ponape are. built in the water. The whole island is strewn with natural basaltic prisms, some of great size; and of this material, brought by boats or rafts from a distance of 30 M. and put together without any mortar, but sustained by their own weight,, are built all the massive walls and other structures on the east side of the island. The walls of the main building near the entrance of Metalanim harbour form a massive quadrangle 200 ft. on all sides, with inner courts, vault and raised, platform with walls 20 to 40 ft. high and from 8 to 18 ft. thick. Some of the blocks are, 25 ft. long and 8 ft. in circumference, and many of them weigh from 3 to 4 tons. There are also numerous canals from 3o to too ft. wide, while a large number of islets, mainly artificial, covering an area of 9 sq. m., have all been built up out of the shallow waters of the lagoon round about the, entrance of the harbour, with high sea-walls composed of the same huge basaltic prisms. In, some places the walls of this Pacific ' Venice " are now submerged to some depth, as if the land had subsided since the construction of these extensive works. Elsewhere huge break-waters had been constructed, the fragments of which may still be seen stretching away for a distance of from 2 to 3 M. Most observers, such as Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge and Mr Le Hunte, agree that these structures could not possibly be the work
Stone Money.The inhabitants of Yap are noted for possessing the most extraordinary currency, if it can ,be so called, in the whole world. Besides the ordinary shell money, there is a sort of stone coinage, consisting of huge calcite or limestone, discs or wheels from 6 in. to 12 ft. in diameter , and w eighing up to nearly 5 tons. These are all quarried in the Pelew Islands, 2ooni.to the south, and are now brought to_ Yap, in European vessels. But some were in the island long before the arrival of the whites, and must consequently have been brought 'by native vessels or on rafts. The stones, which are rather tokens than money, do not' circulate; but are piled up round about the chief
house
See F. W. Christian, The Caroline Islands (London, 1899); G. Volk-ens, " Ober die Karolinen Insel Yap," in Verhandlungen Gesellschaft Erdkunde Berlin., xxviii.<19o1) ; J. S. Kubary, , Elkno-graphische Bedtrage, zur Kentniss des Karolinen-Archipel (Leiden, 1889-1892) ; De Abrade, Historic del confide de las Carolinas, &c. (Madrid, 1886). End of Article: CAROLINE If you wish, you can link directly to this article.
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