Located in Hanga Nui, on the southeast coast of Easter Island and just 2 kilometers from the Rano Raraku quarry, Ahu Tongariki is the largest and most majestic ceremonial platform on the whole island. Remember an Ahu is the base that the Moai are placed on. The blue waters of the Pacific Ocean provide a beautiful setting for this very important cultural site. There are 15 Moai on the Ahu with space for 3 more. I visited this site twice while on the island. Once during the day and another to catch an amazing sunrise - well worth the early morning wakeup to get there before the sun.

Rapa Nui's Moai

They stand with their backs to the sea and are believed by most archaeologists to represent the spirits of ancestors, chiefs, or other high-ranking males who held important positions in the history of the Rapa Nui.

The more I looked at these impressive statues/Moai, the more I felt their presence and power. These Moai were the heart and soul of an ancient society. A society that believed in their powers to protect and honour the Rapa Nui culture.

How massive and impressive were these statues - look for the two people standing on the bottom right side of the photo below.

Sunrise - Ahu Tongariki

As beautiful as the sunset at Tahai was, the sunrise at Ahu Tongariki was even more spectacular. I hope my photos below will give you a sense of how impressive this sunrise was.

My last sunrise photo is one of the most interesting. It shows the shadows of the Ahu Tongariki Moai pointing in the direction of Rano Raraku volcano, the quarry where they came from.

A Mysterious Event - The Classic Era Ends

Something very dramatic happened in the 17th century. A once civil and religous society that believed their Moai would protect and honour their ancesters - now began to destroy all the statues/Moai on the island. The compromising clan system was over, a new warrior cult would change the social structure of the island. This was the beginning of the Tangata Manu (Birdman) ritual - the Cult of the Birdman now ruled the Rapa Nui.