History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v1.c14.18

v1.c14.18

Traces of ancient stone walls and buildings are now being discovered in New Hebrides, Solomon Islands, New Guinea and other islands. Perry is of opinion that in Micronesia, specially in the Caroline group more remains are found of the vanished people of the old civilisation than in any other island of Polynesia. All over the Mariannes, in the seats of the native population before their discovery by the white men, there exist certain pyramids and truncated cones, on the top of which are placed semi-estufas, *i. e.*, half-spherical bodies. These cones or pyramids on the island of Guahan do not exceed 3 ft. in height, the diameter of the curious pieces on the tops being about 2 ft. Amongst the natives these go by the name of *Houses of the Ancients*.¹