The period from 1100AD to the 17th century was considered the classic period of the Rapa Nui culture. Clans had formed and many Moai/Statues were created. The photo below shows you a restored Moai. The main part of the statue comes from the Rano Raraku volcano. This volcano located in the southeastern part of the island is where all the Moai came from - it was the main quarry. The hat is from another area where the volcanic material had a reddish appearance. The eyes were created with white and black coral.
The average Moai stood 13 feet high and weighed 14 tons. All were human heads-on-torsos carved in the male form from rough hardened volcanic ash. The largest one erected was 33 feet high and weighed 90 tons. Another distinct feature of the Moai's was the base on which they were placed. This was called the Ahu.
The Quarry
The hike around the Rano Raraku volcano was incredible. Here is where the Moai were carved, transported from and then left unfinished - why. What happened to their megalithic culture.
This is the mystery of the Easter Islands.
Transporting The Moai
How the Moai got from the Rano Raraku quarry to various locations around the island is still a mystery. My guide felt that the Rapa Nui transported them in a vertical fashion using ropes to swing them back and forth and keep rocking them forward at the same time. He showed me an interesting landmark as we stood on the top of the quarry. Look at the photo below. The bottom arrow shows an abandoned Moai in front of a visible road leading to other parts of the island. This is the route that the Rape Nui used to rock the Moai back and forth to transport them to other parts of the island.
Next post from this trip.
