Burial Cave

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Sun 27 Oct 2013 23:37
Anaana Burial Cave
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Caves were once used by the early settlers for shelter, for protection from hostile forces and in some instances as their final resting ground. Oral traditions tell of a custom which required those who have departed on their final journey be kept in a separate cave until all that remained were the bones. These were then carefully collected for burial in the main dwelling cave. The bones were often placed together with other prized possessions, such as white cowry shell, fish bone pendants and adze heads hewn from basalt rock. In larger caves all the bones were put together in a separate chamber and covered with stones. Just off the main road and a few steps down we found the cave, one of the few ancient burial caves that can be readily accessed.
 
 
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We stood for a few minutes – simply amazed that not only here, but everywhere we have explored on the island, we have paid not one dollar in entry fees, seen a single guard and had facilities at most of the tracks and treks. Apparently had we visited five years ago the facilities would not have been built.
 
 
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A few moments later we stopped at the Anaana Lookout Point to admire the view.
 
 
 
 
 
 
ALL IN ALL STILL AMAZED AT WHAT THIS ISLAND HAS TO OFFER