Rongorongo text J
Text J of the rongorongo corpus, also known as reimiro 1, is the larger of two inscribed reimiro in London and one of two dozen surviving rongorongo texts. It is also the shortest text in the corpus, being only two glyphs long.
Other names
J is the standard designation, from Barthel. Fischer refers to it as RR20.Location
, London. Catalog # AOA 6847.Description
A prototypical two-headed Rapanui reimiro, or ceremonial crescent-shaped gorget/epaulet, 73 × 13.2 cm, of unknown wood. There are a few worm trails, but it is in excellent condition. The two holes top center were used to hang it from clothing.Two glyphs are cut into the top center of the front, between the two holes used to hang it.
Provenance
The British Museum catalog states:A label on the back reads:
Fischer says that the phrase "the master of a vessel" suggests that it was acquired before the Chilean slaving raids of 1862-63, probably during the 1820s to 1840s, the most active whaling period in the South Pacific.
Inscribed reimiro were evidently rare: An elder told Routledge that he had never seen a reimiro with glyphs.
Despite its poor provenance, there are no doubts as to its authenticity.
Text
One compound glyph, the shortest of Barthel's 26 texts.The second glyph is "clearly" a rapa, or ceremonial dance paddle. It appears to be held by a human figure, glyph 530 x30px, with what might be a headdress.
