Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 2. Human Activities
Draft 1 March 2007
ORONA (HULL)
Maude (1952 and 1968) noted that Orona (Hull) had been occupied for only a short period in
its history.
Expeditions – Orona (Hull) was discovered by the Agate in 1859 and it reported signs of
previous inhabitation on the island (Pompey 1970).
In 1924, the Whitney South Sea Expedition visited Orona (Hull), Abariringa (Canton) as well
as Manra (Sydney) (MacGregor n.d.).
In 1933, the yacht Zaca, stopped at Orona (Hull) and Manra (Sydney) and allowed Gordon
Macgregor to survey archaeological remains there (Emory 1939).
The most recent archaeological visit to Orona was the 1997 Di Piazza and Pearthree visit (Di
Piazza and Pearthree 2004).
Structures – There was a large stone pyramid on the east side of Orona’s (Hull) lagoon
(Anon. 1860a and 1860d; 1850). No recent signs of habitation were found.
In 1887, Ellis (1937) stayed on Orona (Hull) and found a burial ground on the far northeastern
end of the island (eastern end according to Tudor 1968). About 100 maraes were
observed in this area. They were built from coral slabs about 1.8 m (6 ft) long and 1.2 m (4
ft) high. In addition, a much smaller graveyard was found elsewhere on Orona (Hull).
In 1924, the Whitney South Sea Expedition found ancient stone structures on Orona (Hull),
Abariringa (Canton) as well as Manra (Sydney) (MacGregor n.d.).
Bryan (1934) reported finding archaeological structures on Orona (Hull). A number of small
stone platforms were reported. The largest was at the eastern end of the island (see also
Bryan 1941 and 1942). It was surrounded by three stone shelters along a wall in the form of
a semi-circle. On the northwest side, west of the lagoon entrances, there were structures that
resembled graves (see Bryan 1941 and 1942). These were excavated, but nothing was found.
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).
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).
Pompey (1972b) reported that on the west side of the lagoon, there was a large stone square
built enclosure.
Pompey (1972b) reported that there was a large pyramid built of stone on the east side of
Orona’s (Hull) lagoon entrance. It appeared that the pyramid was very old.
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