BOUSTROPHEDON WRITING

The texts on the tablets of Easter Island are written from left to right and from the bottom up. The text is growing upwards like a plant.

At the end of the first line (i.e. bottom right) the text continues one line upwards but upside down. There is no jump to the left but instead you should continue where you are and turn the tablet 180o to be able to read the miroglyphs 'standing on their feet'.

This method of writing was used in ancient times in different places all over the Earth when writing on wooden staffs. Then it is natural to continue the text at the end of the staff not by jumping to the other end but by turning the staff a bit instead. It is also easier for the reader to know where to continue.

In reproducing the texts of the rongorongo objects I have not tried to show the texts with every other line upside down.

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