I · THE OBJECT · BRITISH MUSEUM
Rongorongo text J
▶ Listen · narrated
The wordless voice of a lost culture. Its meaning is still unknown yet it persists as an enduring mystery of archaeology
At a glance
- Material
- Wood
- Text type
- Reimiro
- Length
- Two glyphs long
Look closer
A small but significant tablet
This tablet is one of two dozen survivors from the rongorongo corpus and it is the shortest amongst them. This makes every symbol and its meaning a crucial piece in solving the puzzle of this ancient script.
Two mysterious glyphs
The text on this tablet consists of only two visible glyphs. Despite numerous attempts, these glyphs have resisted translation and their meaning remains unclear. This lack of decipherment highlights how much about rongorongo language we are still uncertain.
Part of a larger puzzle
The rongorongo corpus consists of various texts and artifacts found across different locations. Text J, although small, contributes to the broader context of trying to understand these ancient scripts.
The story
Rongorongo text J is a wooden tablet inscribed with only two glyphs which makes it the shortest text in its language's entire corpus. The term 'reimiro' refers to a specific type of artefact made from wood or bone, often used as ceremonial objects.
Rongorongo text J, also known as London reimiro 1, is one of twenty-four surviving texts in this script, and the only rongorongo object in the British Museum. In 1868 it was brought to England by a missionary, Reverend George Prinsep. However the tablet was not what he had set out to find.
The word 'rongorongo' is Polynesian for 'recite backwards'. The script is written from right to left in lines alternated horizontally like a zigzag hill and mountain pattern. This pattern is also seen in other rongorongo tablets, which suggests that the script has a common origin or influence.
Despite extensive efforts by linguists and archaeologists, the meaning of these glyphs remains unclear and undeciphered. Scholars have proposed various theories about its origins and meaning; ranging from ancient Polynesian languages to Native American influences. However it is most widely accepted that rongorongo was created on Easter Island with no definitive evidence linking this script to other cultures.
Reverend George Prinsep set out to obtain Christian relics. The tablet, though was found by another missionary who was unaware of its significance at the time. It wasn't until later when it was brought back to England that scholars realised they were in possession of an ancient rongorongo text. Its mysterious nature continues to inspire research and debate among experts today.
Why it mattered then
In 1868, there were few examples of this language outside Easter Island, and none in Europe. Prinsep's acquisition opened a window onto a previously isolated culture — what was known about it then came from missionaries' observations, not written records.
Why it matters now
Despite numerous studies the rongorongo script still remains largely undeciphered. Each new discovery of any other rongorongo texts adds to the puzzle and provides more pieces to try to complete this ancient language's story. It serves as a reminder that there are so many mysteries in our world that are yet to be solved.
The surprising detail
Reverend George Prinsep's original goal was completely different than what he accidentally acquired, adding an element of serendipity to the discovery.
How it got here
The tablet was brought to England in 1868 by Reverend George Prinsep, who had intended to obtain Christian relics from Easter Island. The missionary who found the tablet did not recognize its significance at first, and it was only later that scholars realized they were in possession of an ancient rongorongo text.
Remember this
This tablet holds its mystery like a secret, and all scholars can do is guess at it.
Test yourself
Rongorongo text J has been studied by researchers for years. How many glyphs does it contain?
The text on this tablet consists of only two visible glyphs.
Go deeper
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