Voyage of Dumont d'Urville 1826-1829
Façade and details of the sacred house at Doreï, New Guinea from Voyage de la Corvette l’Astrolabe… Pendant les Années 1826-1829: Paris: J. Tastu, 1830-1834.	Spiritual power is one aspect of this structure that is conveyed by the artist in this dramatic image. Dumont d’Urville was not able to learn about the symbolism of the sculptures or the nature of the ceremonies performed within the sacred house. He mused that the material culture of the Papuans displayed similarities to the ancient Egyptians in some of the large sculptures carved for the tombs and sacred houses, and in the amulets worn as necklaces and earrings.
From Tongatapu, d'Urville sailed west to the Fiji Islands, where he was able to map 120 previously uncharted islands with the aid of an islander named Tambua-Nakoro, who served as a guide. He then headed on to New Caledonia; then northwest to New Britain. He mapped that island’s southern coast and the northern coast of New Guinea.
D'Urville: Page 5 of 8.	back   next