Polynesian Sun Gate

Polynesian Sun Gate

There has been a great deal of time, money, and media coverage spent on ancient astronomical knowledge in ancient civilizations. There are endless documentaries and discussion on Ancient Egypt, Ancient Europe, and the Ancient America’s knowledge of astronomy.

I wish to bring to light a group of people that are often left out of the ancient astronomy discussion, the Ancient Polynesian Astronomer. A more precise aspect of this ancient astronomer people being the ancient polynesian navigator. The polynesian astronomer/navigator has been neglected for centuries, but the time has come to bring to light the contributions and relationships of ancient astronomy in all the ancient worlds.

Ancient Navigators Dismissed.

There are an ocean of reasons as to why polynesian navigators have been ignored as skilled seaman and astronomers. However, I have found that the most significant and lasting reasons are as follows:

1. Too Small to Matter. The general consensus of the world was that the polynesian islands were too small to matter. They were so insignificant in land mass, population, and geo-political structure to have any significant contributions to the complex and many times mysterious world of ancient astronomy.

2. No Astronomical Constant. The idea that the southern hemisphere could be navigated through stars and constellations was quickly dismissed. Why? Because there is no constant star/constellation to gauge direction such as the North Star. So scientist/astronomers resisted any concept of organized and detailed ancient astronomy/navigation in ancient Polynesia.

3. Delay of Research. As a result of the blatant dismissal of the Polynesian culture, people, and knowledge no meaningful scientific research was fully pursued. This would delay and even resist the development of knowledge regarding ancient Polynesian astronomy/navigation for centuries.

I am not trying to seek grievances of the past. Rather I am here to march forward and carry the torch of knowledge of those speaking from the dust. Speaking of a culture, knowledge, and history that is robust, knowledge that contributes to the ancient astronomical conversation. I hope to do this by beginning with the common ground between ancient Polynesian astronomy and the ancient knowledge found in Egypt, Europe, and the America’s.

The Ha’amonga ‘a Maui Factor. Within the Island Kingdom of Tonga can be found a very curious structure. A structure that connects the island of the Pacific to the ancient peoples/civilizations in Egypt, Europe, and the Americas. There are several similarities in shape and uses.

The Ha’amonga ‘o Maui is a ancient structure found on the Eastern shore of Tonga. This is the Polynesian “Gate of the Sun”. This understanding of the movements of the sun providing knowledge for seasons. The timing of seasons play a critical role in several aspects of ancient Polynesia but most importantly agriculture and seafaring voyages.

What are other examples of “Gates of the Sun” around the world?

1. Sun Gate of Apollo on the Islands of Greece.

2. Gate of the Sun in Egypt.

3. Stonehenge in England.

4. Gate of the Sun in Bolivia.

There are striking similarities for the uses of each “Gate of the Sun” the most obvious being the similar shape and appearance.

Each Sun Gate mentioned was used to track and predict the movements of the sun. This knowledge plays a critical role of calculating seasons. Knowing when seasons are arriving and leaving cannot only determine the success of agriculture and navigation but also of life and death.

Polynesian Sun Gate