Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 2. Human Activities
Draft 1 March 2007
ENDERBURY
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.).
Byran (1934) noted three man-made structures on Enderbury and suggested that some may
rest on platforms similar to such as Polynesians built.
Bryan (1941) reported that Enderbury was certainly known to the Polynesians.
Garnett (1983a) noted that there was no evidence that Enderbury was inhabited during
prehistoric times. The presence of the Polynesian rat suggested that the island was visited by
either Polynesian or Micronesian voyagers.
Di Piazza and Pearthree (2004) conducted archaeological surveys on Enderbury. They
mapped prehistoric features (see Figure III-2.2). Di Piazza and Pearthree (2004) noted that
19 th century guano mining focused on the north and south ends of Enderbury. The west side
was relatively undisturbed (the location of archaeological sites).
Figure III-2.2. Archaeological sites on Enderbury Island
(source: Di Piazza and Pearthree 2004).
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