Human sacrifice in Tahiti, artwork

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Human sacrifice in Tahiti, artwork

Human sacrifice in Tahiti. Artwork of the British explorer Captain James Cook (lower right) and other sailors, watching the final stages of a two-day human sacrifice in Tahiti in 1777. At centre, the body has been tied to a post and brought to a morai, a sacred place used for burial and worship. The grave is being dug in the background, in front of skulls of previous sacrifices. At left, seated priests pray to the god Oro. At far left, drummers beat ceremonial drums. At right, a dog is being sacrificed over a fire. This image is based on artwork by John Webber, Cooks official artist

Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations

Media ID 6312407

© SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

1700s 18th Century Anthropological Anthropology Captain Ceremony Chief Cook Dead Body Death Explorer Fatal Killed Pacific Polynesian Priest Religion Religious Ritual Rituals Tahiti 1777 Drummer Drummers Human Sacrifice James Cook John Webber Morai Sacrificed Tahitian

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a chilling moment in history - the human sacrifice ritual that took place in Tahiti in 1777. In this artwork, we witness the presence of British explorer Captain James Cook and his fellow sailors observing the final stages of this two-day ceremony. The scene unfolds at a sacred morai, where burial and worship rituals are conducted. At the center of attention is a body tied to a post, while behind it, a grave is being dug amidst an eerie backdrop adorned with skulls from previous sacrifices. On the left side, seated priests offer prayers to Oro, their god. Meanwhile, ceremonial drummers on the far left create an intense rhythm that reverberates through the air. To add to this haunting spectacle, on the right side of the image, we see a dog being sacrificed over an open fire as part of this religious practice. This depiction is based on John Webber's artwork; he was Captain Cook's official artist during his exploration. The photograph provides us with valuable insights into both Polynesian culture and European encounters with indigenous practices during colonial times. It serves as a reminder of how different belief systems can shape societies and highlights humanity's diverse historical journey across time and continents.

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