THE CATLINS: Cathedral Caves
CATHEDRAL CAVES. WAIPATI BEACH, THE CATLINS.
(46d, 37`, 00S – 169d, 22`,15E)
These caves, a local tourist attraction, are under the control of a Maori Trust. The cave entrances are flooded at high tide. Within the entrances of three of the caves, MAS detected the outline of small sampans, (facing the caves, left to right), the first and second caves, 18m x 7m sampans, each with double anchors out. These vessels would have been shoe-horned into the caves. At the end of these caves MAS detected the outlines of walls sealing the end of the caves. One cave had a small room cut out of the rock. By a head torch it was noted that just outside of this room, at eye level on the western wall, (left entering cave) was a Petroglyph of what appears to be a flying fish c300mm long, with a beautifully drawn pair of fins (wings) and a tail. I have seen many flying fish similar to the one depicted in the Petroglyph, flying away from the ship`s wake whilst crossing the Indian Ocean.
These caves are bisected by earth faults – these also were detected by MAS.
The third cave, not always accessible, contained a smaller sampan, 12m x 4m with a single anchor.
COMMENT.
The use of these caves appears to be a determined last stand by a few Chinese, hiding in the caves hoping that rescue would come, little realizing that the invading force had wiped out all of their colleagues. Finally they would have been tracked down, dragged out and no doubt suffered the fate of their colleagues, i.e. providing a meal for the Maori.
Thor Heyerdahl makes reference to Petroglyphs in his first book relating his experiences on Fatu, Marquesas. He stated that this design is unknown in the Polynesia. One illustration is of a similar art form to the one located in Cathedral Caves, Catlins. There are no previous references to this petroglyph, nor did our professional guide make reference to it.
