Fischer tells the full history of Easter Island's enigmatic script, Oceania's only known pre-20th-century writing system. He also provides full transcriptions of all the 25 surviving rongorongo inscriptions.This book is the first comprehensive documentation of Rongorongo, Easter Island's enigmatic script and Oceania's only known pre-twentieth-century writing system. The author tells the full history of rongorongo's exciting discovery and the many attempts at a decipherment and provides full transcriptions of all the 25 surviving rongorongo inscriptions along with detailed photographs of nearly every incised artifact.Rongorongo, Easter Island's enigmatic script and Oceania's only known pre-twentieth-century writing system, is here comprehensively documented for the first time. The author tells the full history of rongorongo's exciting discovery and the many attempts at a decipherment. Pre-missionary traditions surrounding rongorongo are described from previously unpublished material. Full transcriptions of all the 25 surviving rongorongo inscriptions are provided, along with detailed photographs of nearly every incised artefact. In over six years of full-time research that took the author from St Petersburg to Easter Island, a wholly new picture of the rongorongo phenomenon has emerged. This book is the definitive study of one of the world's most fascinating and eloquent graphic achievements.`Fischer now has complete, readable texts in an ancient form of Greek. Fischer's most valuable contribution is a detailed history of research on Rongoronga ... and a full catalogue of all known Rongorongo inscriptions. These alone will make this book a must, not only for Polynesianspecialists, but for all those interested in non-European scripts.'The Times Higher Education Supplement`The book is highly recommended for beginners and a fruitful inspiration for advanced readers.'Michael Schlottner, International Review of Anthropology and Linguistics`the well documented anthology provides a constructive and effective stage in the ongoing discussion as a considerable stimulation for broader attention.'Michael Schlottner, International Review of Anthropology and LinguisticsEaster Island's rongorongo script is Oceania's only known writing system predating the 20th century. The author documents comprehensively, for the first time, the history, traditions, and texts of this enigmatic script. His research has taken him all over the world, from St Petersburg to Easter Island itself, to uncover the truth behind one of the world's most fascinating and eloquent graphic achievements.
show more 
show less