Published May 1, 2026 | Version 1.0
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The Discovery of a Second Lunar Calendar on Rongorongo Tablet C (Mamari)

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Independent Researcher

Description

This paper identifies and analyzes a previously unrecognized lunar calendar on the recto of Rongorongo Tablet C (Mamari). By applying a structural analysis to recurring delimiter sequences and "staff and bud" glyphs, the author demonstrates a second calendrical pattern (Lunar Calendar B) that aligns with the known lunar calendar identified by Thomas Barthel (Lunar Calendar A). The study compares the sequence of 29 "buds" in the new calendar with the 31 "nights" in the traditional calendar, proposing that the system may represent an agricultural cycle or an alternating 29/30-day lunar month used by the Rapanui people.

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Additional details

Dates

Issued
2026-05-01
Initial publication of preprint

References

  • Barthel, T. S. (1958). Grundlagen zur Entzifferung der Osterinselschrift. Hamburg: Cram, de Gruyter & Co.
  • Berrett, P. (2026). The Discovery of a Second Lunar Calendar on Rongorongo Tablet C (Mamari) [Preprint]. Zenodo.
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  • Horley, P. (2007). Structural analysis of Rongorongo inscriptions. Rapa Nui Journal, 21(1), 25–33.
  • Métraux, A. (1940). Ethnology of Easter Island. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin, 163. Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press.
  • Thomson, W. J. (1891). Te Pito te Henua, or Easter Island. Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution for the Year Ending June 30, 1889, 447–552.