Finally the strangest Moai
ever found on Easter Island.
The odd "kneeling" statue
found by archaeologist Thor
Heyerdahl's team in 1955 on
a part of the Rano Raraku
quarry near no other statues,
it kneels, hauntingly. It is a
very realistic piece compared
to the traditional Moai and it is
unclear whether this was a
very early piece or a later
development. Its locations
away from the other carved
Moai is also unusual.
ever found on Easter Island.
The odd "kneeling" statue
found by archaeologist Thor
Heyerdahl's team in 1955 on
a part of the Rano Raraku
quarry near no other statues,
it kneels, hauntingly. It is a
very realistic piece compared
to the traditional Moai and it is
unclear whether this was a
very early piece or a later
development. Its locations
away from the other carved
Moai is also unusual.
| The voyagers started constructing villages and houses made in an unusual elliptical shape. It has been speculated that this style of construction started when the new arrivals turned their boats upside down for quick housing. There were literally hundreds of remains of these foundations on the island in the 1800's, but most were destroyed by the missionaries to make fences. |
Easter Island
It’s known as one of
the most isolated islands
in the world but 1200
years ago a canoe filled
with seafarers from a
distant culture landed
upon its shores. Over the
centuries that followed a
remarkable society
developed in isolation on
the island. For reasons
still unknown they began
carving giant statues out
of volcanic rock. These
monuments, known, as
"moai" are some of the
most incredible ancient
relics ever discovered.
the most isolated islands
in the world but 1200
years ago a canoe filled
with seafarers from a
distant culture landed
upon its shores. Over the
centuries that followed a
remarkable society
developed in isolation on
the island. For reasons
still unknown they began
carving giant statues out
of volcanic rock. These
monuments, known, as
"moai" are some of the
most incredible ancient
relics ever discovered.
The people of Easter Island called themselves the Rapa Nui.
Where did they come from and why did they disappear?
Where did they come from and why did they disappear?
| Archaeologist think the first and only people ever to live on Easter Island were from an individual group of Polynesians that, once finding Easter Island, then had no contact with any other races. |
| Until of course, that fateful day in 1722 when, on Easter Sunday, Dutch commander Jacob Roggeveen, became the first European to "discover" the island. What his crew witnessed and recorded once on the island has fueled speculation about the origins of the Rapa Nui ever since. |
Ahu Ko Te Riku
Restored Moai
Rano Raraku: Moai
quarry, on it's hills are
more than 390 statues.
quarry, on it's hills are
more than 390 statues.
The stone
carvers
made the most
out of sections
of rock. The sizes
varied and it is
believed they
increased in size
over the years
due to
competition or to
honor their
seniors
carvers
made the most
out of sections
of rock. The sizes
varied and it is
believed they
increased in size
over the years
due to
competition or to
honor their
seniors
The soft volcanic tuff was perfect material for statue carving. Using harder volcanic rock
implements they were able to first sketch out the moai's outline in the rock wall and then
systematically chip away at it until the moai was held in place by a thin "keel."
implements they were able to first sketch out the moai's outline in the rock wall and then
systematically chip away at it until the moai was held in place by a thin "keel."
Note:
Sculpture
carved into
Mountain
Detail of
Nose and
Chin
Sculpture
carved into
Mountain
Detail of
Nose and
Chin
| The Island is covered in Lava rock making travel and agriculture difficult |
| Check out the size of this Pukao (top knot) |
| Who toppled the statues and why? |
Rapa Nu i
Rapa Nu i
| Glistening lakes and marshes dotted the floor of this crater. |
| Standing in front of the largest shrine of the island - Ahu Tongariki - 15 Huge stone statues restored in 1993. Notice the detail that still remains today. The arms held to their side with fingers meeting below the belly. |
| Ahu Tongariki, on the south coast of Easter was the site of one of the largest of the ahu. The large flat plain below Rano Raraku provided easy access to the quarry and as a result the largest of the moai where erected here. However, in 1960, a massive tidal wave generated by an earthquake off the coast of Chile hit Ahu Tongariki and destroyed the platform and swept the massive moai hundreds of yards inland. This Ahu is the closest positioned Ahu to the Rano Raraku volcano (the quarry). In 1992 a team from Japan brought in cranes and other heavy equipment. Their mission: restore Ahu Tongariki. Working under the direction of Chilean archaeologist, Claudio Cristino the task took five years. Now all 15 of the moai stand proudly once more at what is arguably Easter Island's most impressive site. |
| Rapa Nui Vocabulary Ahu : Platform Pukao : Moai topknot Ana : Cave Hare Paenga :Boat shaped house Iorana : Hello Maururu : Thank you Pehe koe : How are you? |
Rano Raraku Volcano where the Maoi were carved
| Palm Trees are found growing in parted lava tubes through out the island. They sustain on the rain water collectd in the pit. |
Ahu Tongariki
Original Rapa Nui Name: Te Pito OTehenua meaning "Naval of the World"
Hare paenga
| A rugged trek around the island concluded on top of a volcano looking over Rano Raraku |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Click on images for larger view
It is unclear why the Easter Islanders turned to statue construction on such a massive scale. Their obsession with it
ultimately brought about their downfall as they depleted more and more of the forests for use in the process of
moving the giant moai. While the why is a mystery, where it happened and to a large degree how it happened is
fairly clear. Each moai was born from the massive caldera of Rano Raraku. (volcano below center)
The moai carvers were master craftsmen that had rose through the ranks of a "carver's guild." The production of
the statues was most likely through draft labor with many rituals and ceremonies performed throughout the
process. The stone carvers were ingenious in making the most out of sections of rock. Moai can be seen carved in
all directions in the cliff face. If a defect would appear in the rock the statue would be abandoned and they moved
on to another area.
They took advantage of fissures in the volcanic walls and also variations in colors. In short they were true artists.
Finally when a statue was finished, it was broken off its keel and slid carefully down the slope using ropes tied to
giant palm trunks which were sunk in specially prepared holes in rim of the crater.
At the base of the crater they were raised up and final decorations were carved into its torso and back. Coral and
obsidian eyes were placed in as a final touch, although some suggest these were only placed in the statues on
special occasions. Preparation was then made for transport across the island to various ahu.
ultimately brought about their downfall as they depleted more and more of the forests for use in the process of
moving the giant moai. While the why is a mystery, where it happened and to a large degree how it happened is
fairly clear. Each moai was born from the massive caldera of Rano Raraku. (volcano below center)
The moai carvers were master craftsmen that had rose through the ranks of a "carver's guild." The production of
the statues was most likely through draft labor with many rituals and ceremonies performed throughout the
process. The stone carvers were ingenious in making the most out of sections of rock. Moai can be seen carved in
all directions in the cliff face. If a defect would appear in the rock the statue would be abandoned and they moved
on to another area.
They took advantage of fissures in the volcanic walls and also variations in colors. In short they were true artists.
Finally when a statue was finished, it was broken off its keel and slid carefully down the slope using ropes tied to
giant palm trunks which were sunk in specially prepared holes in rim of the crater.
At the base of the crater they were raised up and final decorations were carved into its torso and back. Coral and
obsidian eyes were placed in as a final touch, although some suggest these were only placed in the statues on
special occasions. Preparation was then made for transport across the island to various ahu.
