# Is rongorongo a pre-contact writing system, and can it be read? · Easter Island moai > Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible. Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/easter-island-moai/questions/QST0CTG30TW0W1X/is-rongorongo-a-pre-contact-writing-system-and-can-it-be Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:21+00:00 --- **0** # Is rongorongo a pre-contact writing system, and can it be read? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [Did Rapa Nui society collapse before European contact?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/easter-island-moai/questions/QST0CTG30B82PQ7/did-rapa-nui-society-collapse-before-european-contact)·3 answers·0·0 following **Three answers, none ahead** None is ahead yet. See what would settle it. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible. ## Why it matters If the script predates 1722 it is one of very few independent inventions of writing; it survives on fewer than 30 objects and is undeciphered⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D8MQWEW6RB2/the-invention-of-writing-on-rapa-nui-easter-island-new). ## Answers 3 [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/easter-island-moai/answers/ANS0CTG394G2J6Q/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**Rongorongo was in use before European contact.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/easter-island-moai/answers/ANS0CTG38582RAE/rongorongo-was-in-use-before-european-contact) Tested, but the results don't decide it Evidence: 1 for Disputed [**The script was invented after islanders saw the Spanish annexation document signed in 1770.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/easter-island-moai/answers/ANS0CTG38MW7HH2/the-script-was-invented-after-islanders-saw-the-spanish) Tested, but the results don't decide it Evidence: 1 for Disputed ## History 1. 2024[Ferrara et al. puts forward: rongorongo was in use before European contact.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D8MQWEW6RB2/the-invention-of-writing-on-rapa-nui-easter-island-new) 1. 2024[Ferrara et al. puts forward: the script was invented after islanders saw the Spanish annexation document signed in 1770.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D8MQWEW6RB2/the-invention-of-writing-on-rapa-nui-easter-island-new) 1. 2024[Ferrara et al.: one Rome tablet's wood dates securely to the mid-fifteenth century; three others are nineteenth century.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D8MQWEW6RB2/the-invention-of-writing-on-rapa-nui-easter-island-new)For: Rongorongo was in use before European contact. 1. 2024[Ferrara et al.: most dated tablets are nineteenth century.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D8MQWEW6RB2/the-invention-of-writing-on-rapa-nui-easter-island-new)For: The script was invented after islanders saw the Spanish annexation document signed in 1770. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/easter-island-moai/questions/QST0CTG30TW0W1X/is-rongorongo-a-pre-contact-writing-system-and-can-it-be%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/easter-island-moai/questions/QST0CTG30TW0W1X/is-rongorongo-a-pre-contact-writing-system-and-can-it-be%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/easter-island-moai/questions/QST0CTG30TW0W1X/is-rongorongo-a-pre-contact-writing-system-and-can-it-be%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/easter-island-moai/questions/QST0CTG30TW0W1X/is-rongorongo-a-pre-contact-writing-system-and-can-it-be%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/easter-island-moai/questions/QST0CTG30TW0W1X/is-rongorongo-a-pre-contact-writing-system-and-can-it-be%23add-source) Where it fits Easter Island moai [**Did Rapa Nui society collapse before European contact?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/easter-island-moai/questions/QST0CTG30B82PQ7/did-rapa-nui-society-collapse-before-european-contact)Key question · A small, stable population adapted to a poor environment with rock gardens and kept building until contact;… **Is rongorongo a pre-contact writing system, and can it be read?** You're here · 3 answers, inconclusive [ Ask a question under this one ]