The Moai of Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

Authors

Carl P. Lipo, Binghamton University--SUNYFollow
Terry L. Hunt, University of ArizonaFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4391-3590

Document Type

Data Set

Publication Date

Summer 6-4-2018

Keywords

moai, Easter Island, Rapa Nui, megalith

Abstract

The current database for the moai of Rapa Nui (Easter Island, Chile).

Publisher Attribution

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Lipo, C. P., et al. (2013). "The 'Walking' Megalithic Statues (Moai) of Easter Island." Journal of Archaeological Science 40(6): 2859-2866. Explaining how the monumental statues (moai) of Easter Island were transported has remained open to debate and speculation, including their resource expenditures and role in deforestation. Archaeological evidence including analysis of moai variability, particularly those abandoned along ancient roads, indicates transport was achieved in a vertical position. To test this proposition we constructed a precise three-dimensional 4.35 metric ton replica of an actual statue and demonstrate how positioning the center of mass allowed it to fall forward and rock from side to side causing it to 'walk.' Our experiments reveal how the statue form was engineered for efficient transport by a small number of individuals.