This one depicts a sea turtle swimming in the ocean. In ancient Polynesian religion, it was forbidden to eat sea turtles as they were considered to be the shadows of the gods upon the water. Women alone were sometimes allowed to eat them, and then only for ceremonial purposes. The area around Marae Manunu is rich in archaeological sites. Not more than a quarter mile from the temple are these fishing weirs, ancient constructions used to trap fish.
Fishermen sit by the huts and catch the trapped fish.
These structures were built hundreds of years ago but are still functional today. June 8, 1998.