Admiralty Islands

The natives evidently treasure skulls of all sorts ~ H. N. Moseley

The Admiralty Islands are a group of 18 islands in the Bismarck Archipelago, to the north of New Guinea in the South Pacific Ocean. These are also sometimes called the Manus Islands, after the largest island.

Quotes

H. N. Moseley, Notes By a Naturalist: An Account of Observations made during The Voyage of H.M.S. “Challenger” Round the World in the Years 1872–1876 (London: John Murray, 1892)

• There are several Temples in Wild Island; they have already been partially described. One such had as door-posts a male and female figure roughly carved in wood, but elaborately ornamented with incised patterns and colour. Between the legs of the female figure was represented a fish. There are in the same figure black patches with white spots, which appear to mark out the breasts.
  • Chapter XVIII, p. 408
• A Dugong’s and a Porpoise’s skull were produced for barter. The natives evidently treasure skulls of all sorts. Human skulls are likewise kept stuck up in the thatch of the houses.
  • Chapter XVIII, p. 409